^^- 


\ 


^OODBOOK 

■IS   THE   •   ^j 

LlFE-BLOODia^ 
OF  A         "''- 
MASTEk  £/ 


•  WvSPIRIT 


/ 


TTie  KINGS  TR£A5URIES 

OF     LITERATURE 


GENERAL  EDITOR 
Sir  AT  QUILLER  COUCH 


NEW  YORK    E  PDUTTON  AND  COMPA^l 


i  MDENT  &  SONS   LTD  •  LONDON  ^  TORONTO 


All  rights  reserved 

Sole  Agent  for  Scotland 

THE  GRANT  EDUCATIONAL  CO.  LTD. 

GLASGOW 


First  Editiox      .  .      192 1 

Reprinted  .         .         .     1925 


printed    in    great    BRITAIN 


CONTENTS 


Introduction    ...... 

Christopher  Columbus      .... 

Sebastian  Cabot       ..... 

Chancellor's  North-Easterly  Voyage     . 
The  Second  Voyage  of  Martin  Frobisher 
Drake's  Voyage        ..... 

A  Voyage  Intended  Towards  China 
Gilbert's  Voyage  to  Newfoundland 
The  First  Voyage  to  Virginia 
Grenville  in  Virginia      .... 

Cavendish's  Voyage  to  the  South  Seas 

The  Fight  of  the  "  Revenge  " 

The  Last  Voyage  of  Drake  and  Hawkins 

Richard  Hakluyt  and  his  Work     . 


PAGE 

7 

9 

14 

22 

36 
58 
93 

128 

155 
171 
181 
212 
230 

253 


N.B. — The  present  text  is  that  used  in  the  edition  published 
by  Messrs.  MacLehose  &  Sons  in  1903,  etc.,  and  edited  by 
S.  Douglas  Jackson,  but  the  spelling  has  been  modernised 
and  some  of  the  paragraphs  divided. 


2032447 


Hakluyt  died  in  the  same  year  as  Shakespeare, 
having  accomplished  the  task  of  compihng  "  the  great 
prose  epic  of  the  English  nation."  His  storv'  is  dif- 
fused and  lacks  form,  balance,  proportion.  It  is  long 
and  it  is  usually  printed  in  a  manner  which  gives  a 
first  impression  of  confusion  and  incoherence — solid 
pages  of  small  type  in  old  spelling,  unattractive  to 
the  eye,  and  therefore  unwelcome  to  the  mind.  Will 
the  reader  sample  his  pages  with  me,  not  by  picking 
out  disconnected  extracts,  with  neither  beginning  nor 
ending,  but  by  reading  a  complete  "  voyage  "  here 
and  there,  and  especially  those  of  the  Elizabethan 
sea-farers?  The  stories  are  here  printed  in  open  type 
on  a  small  page.  The  spelling  is  modernised  and  the 
longest  paragraphs  are  broken  up  to  allow  time  for 
breathing  and  for  the  pauses  necessary  to  contemplate 
at  leisure,  and  wonder  over,  some  of  the  most  marvel- 
lous feats  of  daring  and  endurance  of  which  the  world 
holds  record.  Told  without  rhetoric,  too,  and  always 
(even  when  the  matter  in  hand  is  piracy!)  "  As  ever 
in  the  great  Task-Master's  Eye." 

Taken  in  this  spirit  "  Richard  Hakluyt,  Preacher," 
needs  no  recommendation  of  mine.  He  speaks  for 
himself,  or,  to  be  quite  correct,  his  contributors  speak 
for  themselves;  for,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  pages 
following,  Hakluyt  was  to  a  great  extent  a  collector 
or  editor  who- gathered  together,  by  dint  of  infinite 
pains  and  patience,  the  records  made  by  travellers 
themselves  or  by  the  "  special  correspondents  "  whom 

7 


8  INTRODUCTION 

the  great  voyagers  of  the  sixteenth  century  seem  to 
have  taken  with  them  when  they  set  out  from  some 
port  on  our  southern  or  south-western  shores.  The 
names  of  some  of  the  latter  still  live — •"  Master  Dionise 
Settle  ";  "  Clement  Adams  "  who  wrote  in  Latin  and 
was  probably  translated  by  Hakluyt  into  noble  Eliza- 
bethan prose  ^  worthy  of  the  Shakespearean  period ; 
"  M.  John  Lane,  a  man  of  good  observation,"  who 
writes  one  of  the  finest  tales  of  adventure  in  our 
language;  and  others  unknown  to  literature  text- 
book fame  but  including  several  men  whose  imagina- 
tion, power  of  expression,  and  faculty  for  selection 
are  greater  than  those  of  some  writers  regarded  as 
"  standards  "  by  many  who  pose  as  guides.  There 
are  paragraphs  in  these  pages  which  are  literature, 
and  great  literature  at  that.  Let  the  reader  read 
the  book  aloud  and  he  will  soon  find  them  out,  for 
thev  sing  of  themselves. 

R.  W. 

^  What  could  be  better  in  spirit,  form  and  substance  than 
the  noble  speech  which  begins  on  page  25  ? 


STORIES     FROM 
HAKLUYT 

CHRISTOPHER  COLUMBUS 


The  offer  of  the  discovery  of  the  West  Indies  by  Chris- 
topher Colnmhiis  to  King  Henry  the  Seventh  in  the 
year  1488  the  i^th  of  February  :  with  the  King's 
acceptation  of  the  offer,  and  the  cause  whereupon 
he  was  deprived  of  the  same  :  recorded  in  the 
thirteenth  chapter  of  the  history  of  Don  Fernaiid 
Columbus  of  the  life  and  deeds  of  his  father 
Christopher  Columbiis. 

Christopher  Columbus  fearing  lest  if  the  King  of 
Castile  in  like  manner  [as  the  King  of  Portugal  had 
done]  should  not  condescend  unto  his  enterprise,  he 
should  not  be  enforced  to  offer  the  same  again  to 
some  other  prince,  and  so  much  time  should  be  spent 
therein,  sent  into  England  a  certain  brother  of  his 
which  he  had  with  him,  whose  name  was  Bartholomew 
Columbus,  who,  albeit  he  had  not  the  Latin  tongue, 
yet  nevertheless  was  a  man  of  experience  and  skilful 
in  sea  causes,  and  could  very^  well  make  sea  cards 
and  globes,  and  other  instruments  belongine^  to  that 
profession,  as  he  was  instructed  by  his  brother. 

Wherefore  after  that  Bartholomew  Columbus  was 

departed  for  England,  his  luck  was  to  faU  into  the 

hands  of  pirates,  which  spoiled  him  with  the  rest  of 

them  which  were  in  the  ship  which  he  went  in.    Upon 

*  9 


10  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

which  occasion,  and  by  reason  of  his  poverty  and 
siclaiess  which  cruelly  assaulted  him  in  a  country  so 
far  distant  from  his  friends,  he  deferred  his  ambassage 
for  a  long  while,  until  such  time  as  he  had  gotten 
somewhat  handsome  about  him  with  making  of  sea 
cards. 

At  length  he  began  to  deal  with  King  Henry  the 
Seventh  the  father  of  Henry  the  Eighth,  which  reigneth 
at  this  present :  unto  whom  he  presented  a  map  of  the 
world,  wherein  these  verses  were  written,  which  I 
found  among  his  papers :  and  I  will  here  set  them  down, 
rather  for  their  antiquity  than  for  their  goodness. 

Thou  which  desirest  easily  the  coasts  of  lands  to  know, 
This  comely  map  right  learnedly  the  same  to  thee  will  show: 
Which  Strabo,  Plin3^  Ptolemy  and  Isidore  maintain: 
Yet  for  all  that  they  do  not  all  in  one  accord  remain. 
Here  also  is  set  down  the  late  discovered  burning  Zone 
By  Portingals,  unto  the  world  which  whilom  was  unknown, 
Whereof  the  knowledge  now  at  length  through  all  the  world  is 
blown. 

And  a  little  under  he  added : 

For  the  Author  or  the  Drawer. 
He,  whose  dear  native  soil  hight  stately  Genoa, 
Even  he  whose  name  is  Bartholomew  Colon  de  Terra  Rubra, 
The  year  of  Grace  a  thousand  and  four  hundred  and  fourscore 
And  eight,  and  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  February  more, 
In  London  published  this  work.    To  Christ  all  laud  therefore. 

And  because  some  peradventure  may  observe  that 
he  calleth  himself  Columbus  de  Terra  Rubra,  I  say, 
that  in  like  manner  I  have  seen  some  subscriptions 
of  my  father  Christopher  Columbus,  before  he  had 
the  degree  of  admiral,  wherein  he  signed  his  name 
thus,  Columbus  de  Terra  Rubra.  But  to  return  to  the 
King  of  England,  I  say,  that  after  he  had  seen  the 
map,  and  that  which  my  father  Christopher  Columbas 


CHRISTOPHER   COLUMBUS  ii 

offered  unto  him,  he  accepted  the  offer  with  joyful 
countenance,  and  sent  to  call  him  into  England.  But 
because  God  had  reserved  the  said  offer  for  Castile, 
Columbus  was  gone  in  the  mean  space,  and  also  re- 
turned with  the  performance  of  his  enterprise,  as 
hereafter  in  order  shall  be  rehearsed.  Now  will  I  leave 
off  from  making  any  further  mention  of  that  which 
Bartholomew  Colon  had  negotiated  in  England,  and 
I  will  return  unto  the  admiral,  etc. 

Another  testimony  taken  out  of  the  sixtieth  chapter  of  the 
foresaid  history  of  Ferdinando  Columhiis,  concerning 
the  offer  that  Bartholomew  Columbus  made  to  King 
Henry  the  Seventh  on  the  behalf  of  his  brother 
Christopher. 

Christopher  Columbus  the  admiral  being  returned 
from  the  discovery  of  Cuba  and  Jamiaica,  found  in 
Hispaniola  his  brother  Bartholomew  Columbus,  who 
before  had  been  sent  to  entreat  of  an  agreement  with 
the  King  of  England  for  the  discovery-  of  the  Indies, 
as  we  have  said  before.  This  Bartholomew  therefore 
returning  unto  Castile,  with  the  capitulations  granted 
by  the  King  of  England  to  his  brother,  understood  at 
Paris  by  Charles  the  King  of  France,  that  the  admiral 
his  brother  had  already  performed  that  discovery: 
whereupon  the  French  King  gave  unto  the  said 
Bartholomew  an  hundred  French  crowns  to  bear  his 
charges  into  Spain.  And  albeit  he  made  great  haste 
upon  this  good  news  to  meet  with  the  admiral  in 
Spain,  yet  at  his  coming  to  Seville  his  brother  was 
already  returned  to  the  Indies  with  seventeen  sail 
of  ships. 

Wherefore,  to  fulfil  that  which  he  had  left  him  in 


12  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

charge,  in  the  beginning  of  the  37ear  1494  he  repaired 
to  the  Catholic  princes,  taking  with  him  Diego  Colon 
my  brother  and  me  also,  which  were  to  be  preferred 
as  pages  to  the  most  excellent  Prince  Don  John,  who 
is  now  with  God,  according  to  the  commandment  of 
the  Catholic  Queen  Lady  Isabel,  which  was  then  in 
Valladolid.  As  soon  therefore  as  we  came  to  the  Court, 
the  princes  called  for  Don  Bartholomew,  and  sent  him 
to  Hispaniola  with  three  ships,  etc. 

Christopher  Columbus  of  famous  memor^^,  the  first 
instrument  to  manifest  the  great  glor\^  and  mercy  of 
Almighty  God  in  planting  the  Christian  faith,  in 
those  so  long  unknown  regions,  having  in  purpose  to 
acquaint  (as  he  did)  that  renowned  prince,  the  Queen's 
Majesty's  grandfather  King  Henry  the  Seventh,  with 
his  intended  voyage  for  the  western  discoveries,  was 
not  only  derided  and  mocked  generally,  even  here  in 
England,  but  afterward  became  a  laughing-stock  to 
the  Spaniards  themselves,  who  at  this  day  (of  all  other 
people)  are  most  bound  to  laud  and  praise  God,  who 
first  stirred  up  the  man  to  that  enterprise. 

And  while  he  was  attending  there  to  acquaint  the 
King  of  Castile  (that  then  was)  with  his  intended  pur- 
pose, by  how  many  ways  and  means  was  he  derided? 
Some  scorned  the  pildness  of  his  garments,  some  took 
occasion  to  jest  at  his  simple  and  silly  looks,  others 
asked  if  this  were  he  that  louts  so  low,  which  did 
take  upon  him  to  bring  men  into  a  country  that 
aboundeth  with  gold,  pearls,  and  precious  stones? 

If   he  were   any   such   man    (said   they)   he  would 

carry  another  manner  of  countenance  with  him,  and 

look  somewhat  loftier.    Thus  some  judged  him  by  his 

garments,  and  others  by  his  look  and  countenance, 

Pildness.  Threadbareness.  Silly.  Humble. 


CHRISTOPHER   COLUMBUS  13 

but  none  entered  into  consideration  of  the  inward 
man. 

In  the  end,  what  success  his  voyage  had,  who  list 
to  read  the  Decades,  the  History  of  the  West  Indies, 
the  conquests  of  Hernando  Cortes  about  Mexico,  and 
those  of  Francisco  Pizarro  in  Peru  about  Casamalcha 
and  Cusco,  may  know  more  particularly.  All  which 
their  discoveries,  travails  and  conquests  are  extant  to 
be  had  in  the  English  tongue.  This  device  was  then 
accounted  a  fantastical  imagination,  and  a  drowsy 
dream. 

But  the  sequel  thereof  has  since  awakened  out  of 
dreams  thousands  of  souls  to  know  their  Creator, 
being  therefore  before  that  time  altogether  ignorant: 
and  hath  since  made  sufficient  proof,  neither  to  be 
fantastic  nor  vainly  imagined. 

Withal,  how  mightily  it  hath  enlarged  the  dominions 
of  the  Crown  of  Spain,  and  greatly  enriched  the 
subjects  of  the  same,  let  all  men  consider.  Besides, 
it  is  weU  known,  that  since  the  time  of  Columbus  his 
first  discover}^  through  the  planting,  possessing,  and 
inhabiting  those  parts,  there  hath  been  transported 
and  brought  home  into  Europe  greater  store  of  gold, 
silver,  pearls  and  precious  stones,  than  heretofore  hath 
been  in  aU  ages  since  the  creation  of  the  world. 


An  extract  taken  out  of  the  map  of  Sebastian  Cabot,  cut 
by  Clement  Adams,  concerning  his  discovery  of  the 
West  Indies,  which  is  to  be  seen  in  Her  Majesty's 
privy  gallery  at  Westminster,  and  in  many  other 
ancient  merchants'  houses. 

In  the  year  of  our  Lord  1497,  John  Cabot,  a  Venetian, 
and  his  son  Sebastian  (with  an  EngUsh  fleet  out  from 
Bristol)  discovered  that  land  which  no  man  before 
that  time  had  attempted,  on  the  24th  of  June,  about 
five  of  the  clock  earlv  in  the  morning.  This  land  he 
called  Prima  Vista,  that  is  to  say.  First  Seen,  because 
as  I  suppose  it  was  that  part  whereof  they  had  the 
first  sight  from  sea.  That  island  which  lieth  out  before 
the  land,  he  called  the  Island  of  S.  John  upon  this 
occasion,  as  I  think,  because  it  was  discovered  upon 
the  day  of  John  the  Baptist. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  island  use  to  wear  beasts' 
skins,  and  have  them  in  as  great  estimation  as  we 
have  our  finest  garments.  In  their  wars  they  use 
bows,  arrows,  pikes,  darts,  wooden  clubs,  and  slings. 
The  soil  is  barren  in  some  places,  and  yieldeth  little 
fruit,  but  it  is  full  of  white  bears,  and  stags  far  greater 
than  ours.  It  yieldeth  plenty  of  fish,  and  those  very 
great,  as  seals,  and  those  which  commonly  we  call 
salmons:  there  are  soles  also  above  a  yard  in  length: 
but  especially  there  is  a  great  abundance  of  that  kind 

Island  of  S.  John.   Prince  Edward  Island. 
14 


SEBASTIAN    CABOT  15 

of  fish  which  the  savages  call  baccalaos.  In  the  same 
island  also  there  breed  hawks,  but  they  are  so  black 
that  they  are  very  like  to  ravens,  as  also  their  part- 
ridges, and  eagles,  which  are  in  like  sort  black. 

A  discourse  of  Sebastian  Cabot  ioiicJiing  his  discovery  of 
part  of  the  West  India  out  of  England  in  the  time 
of  King  Henry  the  Seventh,  used  to  Galeacius 
Butrigarius  the  Pope's  Legate  in  Spain,  and  re- 
ported by  the  said  Legate  in  this  sort. 

Do  you  not  understand,  said  he  (speaking  to  certain 
gentlemen  of  Venice),  how  to  pass  to  India  toward 
the  north-west,  as  did  of  late  a  citizen  of  Venice,  so 
valiant  a  man,  and  so  well  practised  in  all  things 
pertaining  to  navigation,  and  the  science  of  cosmo- 
graphy, that  at  this  present  he  hath  not  his  like  in 
Spain,  insomuch  that  for  his  virtues  he  is  preferred 
above  all  other  pilots  that  sail  to  the  West  Indies, 
who  may  not  pass  thither  without  his  licence,  and  is 
therefore  called  piloto  mayor,  that  is,  the  grand  pilot? 
And  when  we  said  that  we  knew  him  not,  he  pro- 
ceeded, saying,  that  being  certain  years  in  the  citv  of 
Seville,  and  desirous  to  have  some  knowledge  of  the 
navigations  of  the  Spaniards,  it  was  told  him  that 
there  was  in  the  city  a  valiant  man,  a  Venetian  bom 
named  Sebastian  Cabot,  who  had  the  charge  of  those 
things,  being  an  expert  man  in  the  science,  and  one 
that  could  make  cards  for  the  sea  with  his  own  hand, 
and  that  by  this  report,  seeking  his  acquaintance,  he 
found  him  a  very  gentle  person,  who  entertained  him 
friendly,  and  showed  him  many  things,  and  among 
other  a  large  map  of  the  w^orld,  with  certain  particular 
navigations,    as   well   of   the    Portuguese,    as    of    the 


i6  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

Spaniards,  and  that  he  spake  further  unto  him  to  this 
effect. 

When  my  father  departed  from  Venice  many  years 
since  to  dwell  in  England,  to  follow  the  trade  of  mer- 
chandises, he  took  me  with  him  to  the  city  of  London, 
while  I  was  very  young,  yet  having  nevertheless  some 
knowledge  of  letters  of  humanity,  and  of  the  sphere. 

And  when  my  father  died  in  that  time  when  news 
were  brought  that  Don  Christopher  Colonus,  Genoese, 
had  discovered  the  coasts  of  India,  whereof  was  great 
talk  in  all  the  court  of  King  Henry  VII.  who  then 
reigned,  insomuch  that  all  men  with  great  admiration 
affirmed  it  to  be  a  thing  more  divine  than  human,  to 
sail  by  the  west  into  the  east  where  spices  grow,  by 
a  way  that  was  never  known  before,  by  this  fame 
and  report  there  increased  in  my  heart  a  great  flame 
of  desire  to  attempt  some  notable  thing. 

And  understanding  by  reason  of  the  sphere,  that  if 
I  should  sail  by  way  of  the  north-west,  I  should  b}' 
a  shorter  tract  come  into  India,  I  thereupon  caused 
the  king  to  be  advertised  of  my  device,  who  immedi- 
ately commanded  two  carvels  to  be  furnished  with 
all  things  appertaining  to  the  voyage,  which  was  as 
far  as  I  remember  in  the  year  1496  in  the  beginning 
of  summer. 

I  began  therefore  to  sail  toward  the  north-west,  not 
thinking  to  find  any  other  land  than  that  of  Cathay, 
and  from  thence  to  turn  toward  India,  but  after 
certain  days  I  found  that  the  land  ran  towards  the 
north,  which  was  to  me  a  great  displeasure. 

Nevertheless,  sailing  along  by  the  coast  to  see  if 
I  could  find  any  gulf  that  turned,  I  found  the  land 
still  continent  to  the  fifty-six  degrees  under  our  Pole. 
And  seeing  that  there  the  coast  turned  towards  the  east, 


SEBASTIAN   CABOT  17 

despairing  to  find  the  passage,  I  turned  back  again, 
and  sailed  down  by  the  coast  of  that  land  toward  the 
Equinoctial  (ever  with  intent  to  find  the  said  passage 
to  India)  and  came  to  that  part  of  this  firm  land 
which  is  now  called  Florida,  where  my  victuals  failing, 
I  departed  from  thence  and  returned  into  England, 
where  I  found  great  tumults  among  the  people,  and 
preparation  for  wars  in  Scotland:  by  reason  whereof 
there  was  no  more  consideration  had  to  this  vovage. 

Whereupon  I  went  into  Spain  to  the  Catholic  King, 
and  Queen  Elizabeth,  which  being  advertised  what 
I  had  done,  entertained  me,  and  at  their  charges 
furnished  certain  ships,  wherewith  they  caused  me  to 
sail  to  discover  the  coasts  of  Brazil,  where  I  found 
an  exceeding  great  and  large  river  named  at  this 
present  Rio  de  la  Plata,  that  is,  the  River  of  Silver, 
into  the  which  I  sailed  and  followed  it  into  the  firm 
land,  more  than  six-score  leagues,  finding  it  ever^^- 
where  very  fair,  and  inhabited  with  infinite  people, 
which  with  admiration  came  running  daily  to  our 
ships.  Into  this  river  run  so  many  other  rivers,  that 
it  is  in  manner  incredible. 

After  this  I  made  many  other  voyages,  which  I  now 
pretermit,  and  waxing  old,  I  give  myself  to  rest  from 
such  travels,  because  there  are  now  many  voung  and 
lusty  pilots  and  mariners  of  good  experience,  by  whose 
fonvardness  I  do  rejoice  in  the  fruit  of  my  labours, 
and  rest  with  the  charge  of  this  office,  as  you  see. 

Another  testimony  of  the  voyage  of  Sebastian  Cabot  to 
the  west  and  north-west,  taken  of  the  sixth  chapter 
of  the  third  Decade  of  Peter  Martyr  of  Angleria. 

These  north  seas  have  been  searched  by  one  Sebastian 
Cabot,  a  Venetian  bom,  whom  being  yet  but  in  manner 


i8  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

an  infant,  his  parents  carried  with  them  into  England, 
having  occasion  to  resort  thither  for  trade  of  mer- 
chandise, as  is  the  manner  of  the  Venetians  to  leave 
no  part  of  the  world  unsearched  to  obtain  riches. 

He  therefore  furnished  two  ships  in  England  at  his 
own  charges,  and  first  with  three  hundred  men  directed 
his  course  so  far  towards  the  North  Pole,  that  even 
in  the  month  of  July  he  found  monstrous  heaps  of 
ice  swimming  on  the  sea,  and  in  manner  continual 
daylight,  yet  saw  he  the  land  in  that  tract  free  from 
ice,  which  had  been  molten  by  the  heat  of  the  sun. 

Thus  seeing  such  heaps  of  ice  before  him,  he  was 
enforced  to  turn  his  sails  and  follow  the  west,  so 
coasting  still  by  the  shore,  that  he  was  thereby  brought 
so  far  into  the  south,  by  reason  of  the  land  bending  so 
much  southwards,  that  it  was  there  almost  equal  in 
latitude  with  the  sea  Fretum  Herculeum,  having  the 
North  Pole  elevate  in  manner  in  the  same  degree. 

He  sailed  likewise  in  this  tract  so  far  towards  the 
west,  that  he  had  the  island  of  Cuba  on  his  left  hand, 
in  manner  in  the  same  degree  of  longitude.  As  he 
travelled  by  the  coasts  of  this  great  land,  which  he 
named  Baccalaos,  he  saith  that  he  found  the  like 
course  of  the  waters  towards  the  west,  but  the  same 
to  run  more  softly  and  gently  than  the  swift  waters 
which  the  Spaniards  found  in  their  navigations  south- 
ward. Wherefore  it  is  not  only  more  likely  to  be  true, 
but  ought  also  of  necessity  to  be  concluded  that 
between  both  the  lands  hitherto  unknown,  there  should 
be  certain  great  open  places  whereby  the  waters  should 
thus  continually  pass  from  the  east  unto  the  west: 
which  waters  I  suppose  to  be  driven  about  the  globe 
of  the  earth  by  the  incessant  moving  and  impulsion 
of  the  heavens,  and  not  to  be  swallowed  up  and  cast 


SEBASTIAN   CABOT  19 

up  again  by  the  breathing  of  Demogorgon,  as  some 
have  imagined,  because  they  see  the  seas  by  increase 
and  decrease  to  ebb  and  flow. 

Sebastian  Cabot  himself  named  those  lands  Bacca- 
laos,  because  that  in  the  seas  thereabout  he  found  so 
great  multitudes  of  certain  big  fish  much  like  unto 
tunnies,  which  the  inhabitants  call  baccalaos,  that 
they  sometimes  stayed  his  ships.  He  found  also  the 
people  of  those  regions  covered  with  beasts'  skins,  yet 
not  without  the  use  of  reason.  He  also  saith  there  is 
great  plenty  of  bears  in  those  regions  which  use  to 
eat  fish:  for  plunging  themselves  into  the  water,  where 
thev  perceive  a  multitude  of  these  fishes  to  lie,  they 
fasten  their  claws  in  their  scales,  and  so  draw  them  to 
land  and  eat  them,  so,  as  he  saith,  the  bears  being 
thus  satisfied  with  fish,  are  not  noisome  to  men.  He 
declareth  further,  that  in  many  places  of  these  regions 
he  saw  great  plenty  of  copper  among  the  inhabitants. 

Cabot  is  my  very  friend,  whom  I  use  familiarly, 
and  delight  to  have  him  sometimes  keep  me  company 
in  mine  own  house.  For  being  called  out  of  England 
by  the  commandment  of  the  Catholic  King  of  Castile, 
after  the  death  of  King  Henry,  the  seventh  of  that 
name  King  of  England,  he  was  made  one  of  our  council 
and  assistants,  as  touching  the  affairs  of  the  new 
Indies,  looking  for  ships  daily  to  be  furnished  for 
him  to  discover  this  hid  secret  of  Nature. 

Of  three  savages  which  Cabot  brought  home  and  presented 
unto  the  king  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  his  reign. 

This  year  also  were  brought  unto  the  king  three  men 
taken  in  the  Newfoundland  Island  that  before  I  spoke 
of,  in  William  Purchas'  time  being  Mayor.    These  were 


20  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

clothed  in  beasts'  skins,  and  did  eat  raw  flesh,  and 
spoke  such  speech  that  no  man  could  understand  them, 
and  in  their  demeanour  like  to  brute  beasts,  whom 
the  king  kept  a  time  after.  Of  the  which  upon  two 
years  after,  I  saw  two  apparelled  after  the  manner 
of  Englishmen  in  Westminster  Palace,  which  that 
time  I  could  not  discern  from  Englislimen,  till  I  was 
learned  what  they  were,  but  as  for  speech,  I  heard 
none  of  them  utter  one  word. 

The  large  pension  granted  by  King  Edward  the  Sixth 
to  Sebastian  Cabota,  constituting  him  Grand  Pilot 
of  England. 

Edward  the  Sixth  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of 
France  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  to  all 
Christian  people  to  whom  these  presents  shaU  come, 
sendeth  greeting. 

Know  ye  that  we,  in  consideration  of  the  good  and 
acceptable  service  done,  and  to  be  done,  unto  us  by 
our  beloved  servant  Sebastian  Cabota,  of  our  special 
grace,  certain  knowledge,  mere  motion,  and  by  the 
advice  and  counsel  of  our  most  honourable  uncle 
Edward  Duke  of  Somerset,  governor  of  our  person, 
and  Protector  of  our  Kingdom's  dominions,  and  sub- 
jects, and  of  the  rest  of  our  Counsel,  have  given  and 
granted,  and  by  these  presents  do  give  and  grant  to 
the  said  Sebastian  Cabota,  a  certain  annuity,  or  yearly 
revenue  of  one  hundred,  threescore  and  six  pounds, 
thirteen  shillings  four  pence  sterling,  to  have,  enjoy, 
and  yearly  receive  the  aforesaid  annuity,  or  yearly 
revenue,  to  the  foresaid  Sebastian  Cabota  during  his 
natural  life,  out  of  our  Treasury  at  the  receipt  of 
our  Exchequer  at  Westminster,  at  the  hands  of  our 


SEBASTIAN   CABOT  21 

Treasurers  and  paymasters,  there  remaining  for  the 
time  being,  at  the  feasts  of  the  Annunciation  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mar\',  the  Nativity  of  S.  John  Baptist, 
S.  Michael  the  Archangel,  and  the  Nativity  of  our 
Lord,  to  be  paid  by  equal  portions. 

And  further,  of  our  more  special  grace,  and  bv  the 
advice  and  consent  aforesaid  we  do  give,  and  by  these 
presents  do  grant  unto  the  aforesaid  Sebastian  Cabota, 
so  many,  and  so  great  sums  of  money  as  the  said 
annuity  or  3'early  revenue  of  a  hundred,  threescore 
and  six  pounds,  thirteen  shillings,  four  pence,  doth 
amount  and  rise  unto  from  the  feast  of  S.  Michael 
the  Archangel  last  past  into  this  present  time,  to  be 
had  and  received  b}^  the  aforesaid  Sebastian  Cabota, 
and  his  assigns  out  of  our  aforesaid  Treasury,  at  the 
hands  of  our  aforesaid  Treasurers  and  officers  of  our 
Exchequer  of  our  free  gift  without  accompt,  or  anv- 
thing  else  therefore  to  be  yielded,  paid,  or  made,  to 
U5,  our  heirs  or  successors,  forasmuch  as  herein  express 
mention  is  made  to  the  contrar}'. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  Letters 
to  be  made  patents:  Witness  the  King  at  Westminster 
the  sixth  day  of  January,  in  the  second  year  of  his 
reign.   The  year  of  our  Lord  1548. 


CHANCELLOR'S 
NORTH-EASTERLY   VOYAGE 


Th-e  new  navigation  and  discovery  of  the  kingdom  of 
Moscovia  by  the  north-east,  in  the  year  1553  ;  enter- 
prised  by  Sir  Hugh  WillougJiby,  knight,  and  per- 
formed by  Richard  Chancellor,  pilot-major  of  the 
voyage.    Written  in  Latin  by  Clement  Adams. 

At  what  time  our  merchants  perceived  the  commodities 
and  wares  of  England  to  be  in  small  request  with  the 
countries  and  people  about  us  and  near  unto  us,  and 
that  those  merchandises  which  strangers  in  the  time 
and  memory  of  our  ancestors  did  earnestly  seek  and 
desire,  were  now  neglected  and  the  price  thereof 
abated,  although  by  us  carried  to  their  own  ports, 
and  all  foreign  merchandises  in  great  account,  and 
their  prices  wonderfully  raised:  certain  grave  citizens 
of  London,  and  men  of  great  wisdom,  and  careful  for 
the  good  of  their  country^  began  to  think  with  them- 
selves how  this  mischief  might  be  remedied. 

Neither  was  a  remedy  (as  it  then  appeared)  wanting 
to  their  desires,  for  the  avoiding  of  so  great  an  incon- 
venience; for  seeing  that  the  wealth  of  the  Spaniards 
and  Portingales,  by  the  disco ven,^  and  search  of  new 
trades  and  countries  was  marvellously  increased,  sup- 
posing the  same  to  be  a  course  and  mean  for  them 
also  to  obtain  the  like,  they  thereupon  resolved  upon 
a  new  and  strange  navigation.  And  whereas  at  the 
same  time,  one  Sebastian  Cabota,  a  man  in  those  days 
very  renowned,  happened  to  be  in  London,  they  began 

22 


RICHARD   CHANCELLOR  23 

first  of  all  to  deal  and  consult  diligently  with  him,  and 
after  much  speech  and  conference  together,  it  \v£ls  at 
last  concluded  that  three  ships  should  be  prepared  and 
furnished  out  for  the  search  and  discoverv  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  world,  to  open  a  way  and  passage 
to  our  men  for  travel  to  new  and  unknown  kingdoms. 

And  whereas  many  things  seemed  necessary  to  be 
regarded  in  this  so  hard  and  dilTficult  a  matter,  they 
first  make  choice  of  certain  grave  and  wise  persons  in 
manner  of  a  senate  or  company,  which  should  lay  their 
heads  together  and  give  their  judgments  and  provide 
things  requisite  and  profitable  for  all  occasions:  bv 
this  company  it  was  thought  expedient  that  a  certain 
sum  of  money  should  publicly  be  collected  to  serve 
for  the  furnishing  of  so  many  ships.  And  lest  anv 
private  man  should  be  too  much  oppressed  and  charged, 
a  course  was  taken  that  ever\'  man  willing  to  be  of  the 
society  should  disburse  the  portion  of  twenty  and  five 
pounds  apiece;  so  that  in  a  short  time  by  this  means 
the  sum  of  six  thousand  pounds  being  gathered,  the 
three  ships  were  bought,  the  most  part  whereof  thev 
provided  to  be  newly  built  and  trimmed. 

But  in  this  action  I  wot  not  whether  I  mav  more 
admire  the  care  of  the  merchants  or  the  diligence  of 
the  shipwrights:  for  the  merchants  they  get  ver\' 
strong  and  well-seasoned  planks  for  the  building,  the 
shipwrights  they  with  daily  travail  and  their  greatest 
skill  do  fit  them  for  the  dispatch  of  the  ships;  they 
caulk  them,  pitch  them,  and  among  the  rest,  they 
make  one  most  staunch  and  hrm  by  an  excellent  and 
ingenious  invention.  For  they  had  heard  that  in 
certain  parts  of  the  ocean  a  kind  of  worm  is  bred, 
which  many  times  pierceth  and  eateth  through  the 
strongest  oak  that  is :    and  therefore  that  the  mariners- 


24  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

and  the  rest  to  be  employed  in  this  voyage  might  be 
free  and  safe  from  this  danger,  they  cover  a  piece  of 
the  keel  of  the  ship  with  thin  sheets  of  lead;  and 
having  thus  built  the  ships  and  furnished  them  with 
armour  and  artillery,  then  followed  a  second  care,  no 
less  troublesome  and  necessary  than  the  former, 
namely,  the  provision  of  victuals,  which  was  to  be 
made  according  to  the  time  and  length  of  the  voyage. 

And  whereas  they  afore-determined  to  have  the 
east  part  of  the  world  sailed  unto,  and  3^et  that  the 
sea  towards  the  same  was  not  open,  except  they  kept 
the  northern  tract,  whereas  yet  it  was  doubtful  whether 
there  were  any  passage  yea  or  no,  they  resolved  to 
victual  the  ships  for  eighteen  months,  which  they  did 
for  this  reason:  for  our  men  being  to  pass  that  huge 
and  cold  part  of  the  world,  they  wisely  foreseeing  it, 
allowed  them  six  months  victual  to  sail  to  the  place, 
so  much  more  to  remain  there  if  the  extremity  of  the 
winter  hindered  their  return,  and  so  much  more  also 
for  the  time  of  their  coming  home. 

Now  this  provision  being  made  and  carried  aboard, 
with  armour  and  munition  of  all  sorts,  sufficient 
captains  and  governors  of  so  great  an  enterprise  were, 
as  yet,  wanting;  to  which  office  and  place  although 
many  men  (and  some  void  of  experience)  offered  them- 
selves, yet  one  Sir  Hugh  Willoughby,  a  most  valiant 
gentleman  and  well-born,  very  earnestly  requested  to 
have  that  care  and  charge  committed  unto  him:  of 
whom  before  all  others,  both  by  reason  of  his  goodly 
personage  (for  he  was  of  a  tall  stature)  as  also  for  his 
singular  skill  in  the  services  of  war,  the  company  of 
the  merchants  made  greatest  account:  so  that  at  the 
last  they  concluded  and  made  choice  of  him  for  the 
general  of  this   voyage,   and   appointed   to   him   tlie 


RICHARD  CHANCELLOR  25 

admiral,   with   authority  and    command  over  all  the 
rest. 

And  for  the  government  of  other  ships,  although 
divers  men  seemed  willing,  and  made  offers  of  them- 
selves thereunto,  yet  by  a  common  consent  one  Richard 
Chancellor,  a  man  of  great  estimation  for  many  good 
parts  of  wit  in  him,  was  elected,  in  whom  alone  great 
hope  for  the  performance  of  this  business  rested.  This 
man  was  brought  up  by  one  Master  Henry  Sidney,  a 
noble  young  gentleman  and  very  much  beloved  of 
King  Edward,  who  at  this  time,  coming  to  the  place 
where  the  merchants  were  gathered  together,  began 
a  very  eloquent  speech  or  oration,  and  spake  to  them 
after  this  manner  following : 

My  very  worshipful  friends,  I  cannot  but  greatl}^ 
commend  your  present  godly  and  virtuous  intention  in 
the  serious  enterprising  (for  the  singular  love  you  bear 
to  your  country),  a  matter  which  (T  hope)  will  prove 
profitable  for  this  nation  and  honourable  to  this  our 
land.  Which  intention  of  yours  we  also  of  the  nobility 
are  ready  to  our  power  to  help  and  further:  neither  do 
we  hold  anything  so  dear  and  precious  unto  us  which 
we  will  not  willingly  forgo  and  la}^  out  in  so  commendable 
a  cause.  But  principally  I  rejoice  in  m^^self  that  I  have 
nourished  and  maintained  that  wit,  which  is  like  by  some 
means  and  in  some  measure  to  profit  and  stead  you  in 
this  worthy  action.  But  yet  I  would  not  have  you  ignorant 
of  this  one  thing,  that  I  do  now  part  with  Chancellor, 
not  because  I  make  little  reckoning  of  the  man,  or  that 
his  maintenance  is  burdenous  and  chargeable  unto  me, 
but  that  you  might  conceive  and  understa'^.d  my  good- 
will and  promptitude  for  the  furtherance  of  this  business, 
and  that  the  authority  and  estimation  which  he  de- 
serveth  may  be  given  him.  You  know  the  man  by  report, 
I  by  experience,  you  by  words,  I  by  deeds,  j'-ou  by  speech 

The  admiral.  The  leading  vessel. 


26  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

and  company,  but  I,  by  the  daily  trial  of  his  life,  have  a 
full  and  perfect  knowledge  of  him.  And  you  are  also  to 
remember  into  how  many  perils,  for  your  sakes,  and  his 
country's  love,  he  is  now  to  run:  whereof  it  is  requisite 
that  we  be  not  unmindful,  if  it  please  God  to  send  him 
good  success.  We  commit  a  little  money  to  the  chance 
and  hazard  of  Fortune:  he  commits  his  life  (a  thing  to 
a  man  of  all  things  most  dear)  to  the  raging  sea  and  the 
uncertainties  of  many  dangers.  We  shall  here  live  and 
rest  at  home  quietly  with  our  friends  and  acquaintance; 
but  he,  in  the  meantime,  labouring  to  keep  the  ignorant 
and  unruly  mariners  in  good  order  and  obedience:  with 
how  many  cares  shall  he  trouble  and  vex  himself  ?  With 
how  many  troubles  shall  he  break  himself?  And  how 
many  disquietings  shall  he  be  forced  to  sustain  ?  We 
shall  keep  our  own  coasts  and  country;  he  shall  seek 
strange  and  unknown  kingdoms.  He  shall  commit  his 
safety  to  barbarous  and  cruel  people,  and  shall  hazard 
his  life  among  the  monstrous  and  terrible  beasts  of  the 
sea.  Wherefore  in  respect  of  the  greatness  of  the  dangers 
and  the  excellence  of  his  charge,  you  are  to  favour  and 
love  the  man  thus  departing  from  us:  and  if  it  fall  so 
happily  out  that  he  return  again,  it  is  your  part,  and  duty 
also,  liberally  to  reward  him. 

After  that  this  noble  young  gentleman  had  delivered 
this,  or  some  such-like  speech,  much  more  eloquently 
than  I  can  possibly  report  it,  the  company  then  present 
began  one  to  look  upon  another,  one  to  question  and 
confer  with  another;  and  some  (to  whom  the  virtue 
and  sufficiency  of  the  man  was  known)  began  secretl}- 
to  rejoice  with  themselves  and  to  conceive  a  special 
hope  that  the  man  would  prove  in  time  very  rare  and 
excellent,  and  that  his  virtues,  already  appearing  and 
shining  to  the  world,  would  grow,  to  the  great  honour 
and  advancement  of  this  kingdom. 

After  all  this,  the  company  growing  to  some  silence, 
it   seemed  good  to  them  that  were  of  the  greatest 


RICHARD    CHAiXCELLOR  27 

gravity  amongst  them,  to  inquire,  search  and  seek 
what  might  be  learned  and  known  concerning  the 
easterly  part  or  tract  of  the  world.  For  which  cause 
two  Tartarians,  which  were  then  of  the  king's  stable, 
were  sent  for,  and  an  interpreter  was  gotten  to  be 
present,  by  whom  they  were  demanded  touching  their 
country  and  the  manners  of  their  nation.  But  they 
were  able  to  answer  nothing  to  the  purpose;  being, 
indeed,  more  acquainted  (as  one  there  merrily  and 
openly  said)  to  toss  pots  than  to  learn  the  states  and 
dispositions  of  people. 

But  after  much  ado  and  many  things  passed  about 
this  matter,  they  grew  at  last  to  this  issue,  to  set 
down  and  appoint  a  time  for  the  departure  of  the 
ships,  because  divers  were  of  opinion  that  a  great  part 
of  the  best  time  of  the  year  was  alreadv  spent,  and  it 
the  delay  grew  longer,  the  way  would  be  stopped  and 
barred  by  the  force  of  the  ice  and  the  cold  climate; 
and  therefore  it  was  thought  best,  by  the  opinion  of 
them  all,  that  by  the  twentieth  day  of  May  the  captains 
and  mariners  should  take  shipping  and  depart  from 
Ratcliffe  upon  the  ebb,  if  it  pleased  God. 

They  having  saluted  their  acquaintances — one  his 
wife,  another  his  children,  another  his  kinsfolks,  and 
another  his  friends  dearer  than  his  kinsfolks — were 
present  and  ready  at  the  day  appointed ;  and  having 
weighed  anchor  they  departed  with  the  turning  of  the 
water,  and  sailing  easily,  came  first  to  Greenwich. 
The  greater  ships  are  towed  down  with  boats  and 
oars,  and  the  mariners  being  all  apparelled  in  watchet 
or  sky-coloured  cloth,  rowed  amain  and  made  way 
with  dilie:ence.  And  being  come  near  to  Greenwich 
(where  the  Court  then  lay),  presently  upon  the  news 
thereof,    the    courtiers    came    running    out    and    the 


28  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

common  people  flocked  together,  stajiding  very  thick 
upon  the  shore.  The  Privy  Council,  they  looked  out 
at  the  windows  of  the  Court,  and  the  rest  ran  up  to 
the  tops  of  the  towers. 

The  ships  hereupon  discharge  their  ordinance,  and 
shoot  off  their  pieces  after  the  manner  of  war  and  of 
the  sea,  insomuch  that  the  tops  of  the  hills  sounded 
therewith,  the  valleys  and  the  waters  gave  an  echo, 
and  the  mariners  they  shouted  in  such  sort  that  the 
sky  rang  again  with  the  noise  thereof.  One  stood  in 
the  poop  of  the  ship,  and  by  his  gesture  bids  farewell 
to  his  friends  in  the  best  manner  he  could.  Another 
walks  upon  the  hatches,  another  climbs  the  shrouds, 
another  stands  upon  the  main-yard,  and  another  in 
the  top  of  the  ship.  To  be  short,  it  was  a  very  triumph 
(after  a  sort)  in  all  respects  to  the  beholders.  But 
(alas!)  the  good  King  Edward  (in  respect  of  whom 
principally  all  this  was  prepared)  he  only  by  reason 
of  his  sickness  was  absent  from  this  show,  and  not 
long  after  the  departure  of  these  ships,  the  lamentable 
and  most  sorrowful  accident  of  his  death  followed. 

But  to  proceed  in  the  matter. 

The  ships  going  down  with  the  tide  came  at  last 
to  Woolwich,  where  they  stayed  and  cast  anchor,  with 
purpose  to  depart  thence  again  as  soon  as  the  turning 
of  the  water  and  a  better  wind  should  draw  them  to 
set  sail.  After  this  they  departed  and  came  to  Harwich, 
in  which  port  they  stayed  long,  not  without  great  loss 
and  consuming  of  time:  yet  at  the  last,  with  a  good 
wind,  they  hoist  up  sail  and  committed  themselves  to 
the  sea,  giving  their  last  adieu  to  their  native  country, 
which  they  knew  not  whether  they  should  ever  return 
to  see  again  or  not.  Many  of  them  looked  oftentimes 
back  and  could  not  refrain  from  tears,  considering  into 


RICHARD    CHANCELLOR  29 

what  hazards  they  were  to  fall  and  what  uncertainties 
of  the  sea  they  were  to  make  trial  of. 

Amongst  the  rest,  Richard  Chancellor,  the  captain 
of  the  Edward  Bonaventure,  was  not  a  httle  grieved 
with  the  fear  of  wanting  victuals,  part  whereof  was 
found  to  be  corrupt  and  putrefied  at  Harwich,  and  the 
hogsheads  of  wine  also  leaked  and  were  not  staunch. 
His  natural  and  fatherly  affection  also  somewhat 
troubled  him,  for  he  left  behind  him  his  two  little  sons, 
which  were  in  the  case  of  orphans,  if  he  sped  not  well: 
the  estate,  also,  of  his  company  moved  him  to  care, 
being  in  the  former  respects,  after  a  sort,  unhappy,  and 
were  to  abide  with  himself  ever^-  good  or  bad  accident. 

But  in  the  meantime,  while  his  mind  was  thus 
tormented  with  the  multiphcity  of  sorrows  and  cares, 
after  many  days'  sailing,  they  kenned  land  afar  off, 
whereunto  the  pilots  directed  the  ships;  and  being 
come  to  it  they  land,  and  find  it  to  be  Rost  Island, 
where  they  stayed  certain  days  and  afterwards  set  sail 
again,  and  proceeding  towards  the  north,  they  espied 
certain  other  islands,  which  were  called  the  Cross  of 
Islands.  From  which  places,  when  they  were  a  little 
departed.  Sir  Hugh  ^^'illoughby,  the  general,  a  man 
of  good  foresight  and  providence  in  all  his  actions, 
erected  and  set  out  his  flag,  by  which  he  called  together 
the  chief  est  men  of  the  other  ships,  that  by  the  help 
and  assistance  of  their  counsels,  the  order  of  the 
government  and  conducting  of  the  ships  in  the  whole 
voyage  might  be  better:  who  being  come  together 
accordingly,  they  conclude  and  agree  that  if  any  great 
tempest  should  arise  at  any  time  and  happen  to  dis- 
perse and  scatter  them,  ever}'  ship  should  endeavour 
his  best  to  go  to  Wardhouse,  a  haven  or  castle  of  some 
name  in  the  kingdom  of  Norway,  and  that  they  that 


30  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

arrived  there  first  in  safety  should  stay  and  expect 
the  coming  of  the  rest. 

The  very  same  day,  in  the  afternoon,  about  four 
of  the  clock,  so  great  a  tempest  suddenly  arose  and 
the  seas  were  so  outrageous,  that  the  ships  could  not 
keep  their  intended  course,  but  some  were  perforce 
driven  one  way  and  some  another  way,  to  their  great 
peril  and  hazard.  The  general  with  his  loudest  voice, 
cried  out  to  Richard  Chancellor  and  earnestly  re- 
quested him  not  to  go  far  from  him,  but  he  neither 
would  nor  could  keep  company  with  him,  if  he  sailed 
still  so  fast:  for  the  admiral  was  of  better  sail  than 
his  ship.  But  the  said  admiral,  I  know  "not  b}'  what 
means,  bearing  all  his  sails,  was  carried  away  with 
so  great  force  and  swiftness  that  not  long  after  he  was 
quite  out  of  sight,  and  the  third  ship  also,  wath  the 
same  storm  and  like  rage,  was  dispersed  and  lost  us. 

The  ship  boat  of  the  admiral,  striking  against  the 
ship,  was  over^vhelmed  in  the  sight  and  view  of  the 
mariners  of  the  Bonaventure;  and  as  for  them  that 
are  already  returned  and  arrived,  they  know  nothing 
of  the  rest  of  the  ships,  what  was  become  of  them. 

But  if  it  be  so  that  any  miserable  mishap  have 
overtaken  them,  if  the  rage  and  fury  of  the  sea  have 
devoured  those  good  men,  or  if  as  yet  they  live  and 
wander  up  and  down  in  strange  countries,  I  must 
needs  say  they  were  men  worthy  of  better  fortune,  and 
if  they  be  living,  let  us  wish  them  safety  and  a  good 
return :  but  if  the  cruelty  of  death  hath  taken  hold  of 
them,  God  send  them  a  Christian  grave  and  sepulchre. 

Now  Richard  Chancellor,  with  his  ship  and  company, 
being  thus  left  alone  and  become  very  pensive,  heavy, 
and  sorrowful  by  this  dispersion  of  the  fleet,  he,  accord- 
ing to  the  order  before  taken,  shapeth  his  course  for 


RICHARD   CHANXELLOR  31 

Wardhouse  in  Norway,  there  to  expect  and  abide  thie 
arrival  of  the  rest  of  the  ships.  And  being  come  thither, 
and  having  stayed  there  the  space  of  seven  days,  and 
looked  in  vain  for  their  coming,  he  determined,  at 
length,  to  proceed  alone  in  the  purposed  voyage. 

And  as  he  was  preparing  himself  to  depart,  it  hap- 
pened that  he  fell  in  company  and  speech  with  certain 
Scottish  men,  who,  having  understanding  of  his  inten- 
tion, and  wishing  well  to  his  actions,  began  earnestlv 
to  dissuade  him  from  the  further  prosecution  of  the 
discoverv',  by  amplifying  the  dangers  which  he  was 
to  fall  into,  and  omitted  no  reason  that  might  serve 
to  that  purpose.  But  he,  holding  nothing  so  igno- 
minious and  reproachful  as  inconstancy  and  levitv  of 
mind,  and  persuading  himself  that  a  man  of  valour 
could  not  commit  a  more  dishonourable  part  than, 
for  fear  of  danger,  to  avoid  and  shun  great  attempts, 
was  nothing  at  all  changed  or  discouraged  with  the 
speeches  and  words  of  the  Scots,  remaining  steadfast 
and  immutable  in  his  first  resolution;  determining 
either  to  bring  that  to  pass  which  was  intended,  or 
else  to  die  the  death. 

And  as  for  them  which  were  with  Master  Chancellor 
in  his  ship,  although  they  had  great  cause  of  discomfort 
by  the  loss  of  their  company,  whom  the  aforesaid 
tempest  had  separated  from  them,  and  were  not  a 
little  troubled  with  cogitations  and  perturbations  of 
mind  in  respect  of  their  doubtful  course:  vet,  not- 
withstanding, they  were  of  such  consent  and  agreement 
of  mind  with  Master  Chancellor  that  they  were  reso- 
lute and  prepared,  under  his  direction  and  government, 
to  make  proof  and  trial  of  all  adventures,  without  all 
fear  or  mistrust  of  future  dangers.  Which  constancv 
of  mind  in  all  the  company  did  exceedingly  increase 


32  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

their  captain's  carefulness;  for  he,  being  swallowed 
up  with  like  goodwill  and  love  towards  them,  feared 
lest  through  an}^  error  of  his  the  safety  of  the  company 
should  be  endangered. 

To  conclude,  when  they  saw  their  desire  and  hope 
of  the  arrival  of  the  rest  of  the  ships  to  be  every  day 
more  and  more  frustrated,  they  provided  to  sea  again, 
and  Master  Chancellor  held  on  his  course  towards 
that  unknown  part  of  the  world,  and  sailed  so  far 
that  he  came  at  last  to  the  place  where  he  found  no 
night  at  all,  but  a  continual  light  and  brightness  of 
the  sun  shining  clearly  upon  the  huge  and  mighty  sea. 
And  having  the  benefit  of  this  perpetual  light  for 
certain  days,  at  the  length  it  pleased  God  to  bring 
them  into  a  certain  great  bay,  which  was  of  one 
hundred  miles,  or  thereabout,  over.  Whereinto  they 
entered,  and  somewhat  far  within  it  cast  anchor,  and 
looking  every  way  about  them  it  happened  that  they 
espied  afar  off  a  certain  fisher  boat,  which  Master 
Chancellor,  accompanied  with  a  few  of  his  men,  went 
towards  to  commune  with  the  fishermen  that  were  in 
it,  and  to  know  of  them  what  country  it  was,  and 
what  people,  and  of  what  manner  of  living  they  were. 

But  they,  being  amazed  with  the  strange  greatness 
of  his  ship  (for  in  those  parts  before  that  time  they  had 
never  seen  the  like),  began  presently  to  avoid  and  to 
flee;  but  he,  still  following  them,  at  last  overtook 
them  and  being  come  to  them  they,  being  in  great 
fear  as  men  half -dead,  prostrated  themselves  before 
him,  offering  to  kiss  his  feet;  but  he,  according  to  his 
great  and  singular  courtesy,  looked  pleasantly  upon 
them,  comforting  them  by  signs  and  gestures,  refusing 
those  duties  and  reverences  of  theirs,  and  taking  them 
up  in  all  loving  sort  from  the  ground. 


RICHARD  CHA:NXELL0R  33 

And  it  is  strange  to  cunbider  how  much  favour 
afterwards  in  that  place  this  humanity  of  his  did 
purchase  to  himself.  For  they  being  dismissed,  spread 
by  and  by  a  report  abroad  of  the  arrival  of  a  strange 
nation  of  a  singular  gentleness  and  courtesy.  Where- 
upon the  common  people  came  together,  offering  to 
these  new-come  guests,  victuals  freely,  and  not  refusing 
to  traffic  with  them,  except  tJiey  had  been  bound  by 
a  certain  religious  use  and  custom,  not  to  buy  any 
foreign  commodities  without  the  knowledge  and  con- 
sent of  the  king. 

By  this  time  our  men  had  learned  that  this  countrv' 
w^as  called  Russia,  or  Moscovie,  and  that  Ivan  \^asili- 
wich  (which  was  at  that  time  their  king's  name)  ruled 
and  governed  far  and  wide  in  those  places.  And  the 
barbarous  Russians  asked  likewise  of  our  men  whence 
they  were  and  what  they  came  for.  Whereunto  answer 
was  made  that  they  were  Ens^lishmen  sent  into 
these  coasts  from  the  most  excellent  King  Edward 
the  Sixth,  having  from  him  in  commandment  certain 
things  to  deliver  to  their  king,  and  seeking  nothing 
else  but  his  amity  and  friendship,  and  traffic  with  his 
people,  whereby  they  doubted  not  but  that  great 
commodity  and  profit  would  grow  to  the  subjects  of 
both  kingdoms. 

The  barbarians  heard  these  things  ver\^  gladly,  and 
promised  their  aid  and  furtherance  to  acquaint  their  king 
out  of  hand  with  so  honest  and  reasonable  a  request. 

In  the  meantime,  Master  Chancellor  entreated  vic- 
tuals for  his  money  of  the  governor  of  the  place  (who, 
together  with  others,  came  aboard  him)  and  required 
hostages  of  them  likewise  for  the  more  assurance  of 
safety  to  himself  and  his  company.  To  whom  the 
governors  answered  that  they  knew  not  in  that  case 

B 


34  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  will  of  the  king,  but  yet  were  willing  in  such 
things  as  they  might  lawfully  do,  to  pleasure  him, 
which  was  as  then  to  afford  him  the  benefit  of  victuals. 

Now  while  these  things  were  adoing,  they  secretly 
sent  a  messenger  unto  the  emperor  to  certify  him  of 
the  arrival  of  a  strange  nation  and  withal  to  know 
his  pleasure  concerning  them.  Which  message  was 
very  welcome  unto  him,  insomuch  that  voluntarily  he 
invited  them  to  come  to  his  court.  But  if  by  reason 
of  the  tediousness  of  so  long  a  journey,  they  thought 
it  not  best  so  to  do,  then  he  granted  libert}^  to  his 
subjects  to  bargain  and  to  traffic  with  them:  and 
further  promised  that  if  it  would  please  them  to  come 
to  him,  he  himself  would  bear  the  whole  charges  of 
post-horses.  In  the  meantime  the  governors  of  the 
place  deferred  the  matter  from  day  to  day,  pretending 
divers  excuses,  and  saying  one  while  that  the  consent 
of  all  the  governors  and  another  while  that  the  great 
and  weighty  affairs  of  the  kingdom  compelled  them 
defer  their  answer ;  and  this  they  did  of  purpose,  so  long 
to  protract  the  time  until  the  messenger  (sent  before  to 
the  king)  did  return  with  relation  of  his  will  and  pleasure. 

But  Master  Chancellor  (seeing  himself  held  in  this 
suspense  with  long  and  vain  expectation,  and  thinking 
that  of  intention  to  delude  him  they  posted  the  matter 
off  so  often)  was  very  instant  with  them  to  perform 
their  promise,  which  if  they  would  not  do,  he  told 
them  that  he  would  depart  and  proceed  in  his  voyage. 
So  that  the  Moscovites  (although  as  yet  they  knew 
not  the  mind  of  their  king)  yet  fearing  the  departure 
indeed  of  our  men,  who  had  such  wares  and  com- 
modities as  they  greatly  desired,  they  at  last  resolved 
to  furnish  our  people  with  all  things  necessar}',  and 
to  conduct  them  by  land  to  the  presence  of  their  king. 


RICHARD   CHANCELLOR  35 

And  so  Master  Chancellor  began  his  journey,  which 
was  very  long  and  most  troublesome,  wherein  he  had 
the  use  of  certain  sleds,  which  in  that  country  are 
very  common,  for  they  are  carried  themselves  upon 
sleds,  and  all  their  carriages  are  in  the  same  sort,  the 
people  almost  not  knowing  any  other  manner  of 
carriage,  the  cause  whereof  is  the  exceeding  hardness 
of  the  ground,  congealed  in  the  winter  time  by  the 
force  of  the  cold,  which  in  those  places  is  ver\'  extreme 
and  horrible,  whereof  hereafter  we  will  say  something. 

But  now,  they  having  passed  the  greater  part  of 
their  journey,  met  at  last  with  the  sled-man  (of  whom 
I  spake  before)  sent  to  the  king  secretly  from  the 
justices  or  governors,  who,  by  some  ill-hap  had  lost 
his  way  and  had  gone  to  the  seaside,  which  is  near 
to  the  countrv'  of  the  Tartars,  thinking  there  to  have 
found  our  ship.  But  having  long  erred  and  wandered 
out  of  his  way,  at  the  last  in  his  direct  return  he  met 
(as  he  was  coming)  our  captain  on  the  way;  to  whom 
he,  by  and  by,  delivered  the  emperor's  letters,  which 
were  written  to  him  with  all  courtesy  and  in  the  most 
loving  manner  that  could  be;  wherein  express  com- 
mandment was  given  that  post-horses  should  be  gotten 
for  him  and  the  rest  of  his  company  without  an\- 
money.  Which  thing  was  of  all  the  Russians  in  the 
rest  of  their  journey  so  willing  done,  that  they  began 
to  quarrel,  yea,  and  to  fight  also,  in  striving  and 
contending  which  of  them  should  put  their  post- 
horses  to  the  sled.  So  that  after  much  ado  and  great 
pains  taken  in  this  long  and  weary  journey  (for  they 
had  travelled  very  near  fifteen  hundred  miles)  Master 
Chancellor  came  at  last  to  Moscow,  the  chief  city  of 
the  kingdom,  and  the  seat  of  the  king. 


THE    SECOND    VOYAGE    OF 
M.  MARTIN  FROBISHER 


^^^v'^^^^'^^^v^^t^^^^>^^'^vt^^v^<>»'->^^ 


The  second  voyage  of  Master  Martin  Frobisher,  made 
to  the  west  and  north-west  regions,  in  the  year  1577, 
with  a  description  of  the  country  and  people : 
Written  by  Master  Dionise  Settle. 

On  Whitsunday,  being  the  six  and  twentieth  of  May, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  1577,  Captain  Frobisher 
departed  from  Blackwall,  with  one  of  the  Queen's 
Majesty's  ships,  called  the  Aid,  of  nine-score  tons,  or 
thereabouts:  and  two  other  little  barques  likewise, 
the  one  called  the  Gabriel,  whereof  Master  Fen  ton,  a 
gentleman  of  my  Lord  of  Warwick's,  was  captain: 
and  the  other,  the  Michael,  whereof  Master  York,  a 
gentleman  of  my  Lord  Admiral's,  was  captain,  accom- 
panied with  seven-score  gentlemen,  soldiers,  and  sailors, 
well  furnished  with  victuals,  and  other  provision  neces- 
sary for  one  half  year,  on  this  his  second  voyage,  for 
the  further  discovering  of  the  passage  to  Cathay,  and 
other  countries  thereunto  adjacent,  by  west  and  north- 
west navigations :  which  passage,  or  way,  is  supposed 
to  be  in  the  north  and  north-west  part  of  America: 

The  second  voyage,  etc.  The  first  voyage  was  made  in  1576, 
and  Frobislier  thought  that  he  had  found  the  North- West 
Passage,  in  what  is  now  known  as  Frobisher  Bay.  On  this 
voyage  he  found  a  stone  which  was  thought  to  be  an  ore  of 
gold  and  this  discovery  set  English  mariners  by  the  ears, 
driving  the  thought  of  the  North-West  Passage  out  of  their 
minds. 

36 


MARTIN  FROBISHER  37 

and  the  said  America  to  be  an  i?land  environed  with 
the  sea,  where-through  our  merchants  may  have  course 
and  recourse  with  their  merchandise,  from  these 
our  northernmost  parts  of  Europe  to  those  Oriental 
coasts  of  Asia,  in  much  shorter  time,  and  with  greater 
benefit  than  any  others,  to  their  no  httle  commodity 
and  profit  that  do  or  shall  frequent  the  same. 

Our  said  captain  and  general  of  this  present  voyage 
and  company  having  the  year  before,  with  two  little 
pinnaces,  to  his  great  danger,  and  no  small  commenda- 
tion, given  a  worthy  attempt  towards  the  performance 
thereof,  is  also  pressed,  when  occasion  shall  be  minis- 
tered (to  the  benefit  of  his  prince,  and  native  country') 
to  adventure  himself  further  therein.  As  for  this  second 
voyage,  it  seemeth  sufficient,  that  he  hath  better  ex- 
plored and  searched  the  commodities  of  those  people 
and  countries,  which  in  his  first  voyage  the  year  before 
he  had  found  out. 

Upon  which  considerations,  the  day  and  year 
before  expressed,  we  departed  from  Blackwall  to 
Harwich,  where  making  an  accomplishment  of  things 
necessar}',  the  last  of  May  we  hoisted  up  sails,  and 
with  a  merrs"  wind,  the  7th  of  June  we  arrived  at  the 
islands  called  Orcades,  or  \Tilgarly  Orkney,  being  in 
number  thirty,  subject  and  adjacent  to  Scotland, 
where  we  made  provision  of  fresh  water:  in  the  doing 
whereof  our  general  licensed  the  gentlemen  and  soldiers 
for  their  recreation,  to  go  on  shore. 

At  our  landing,  the  people  fled  from  their  poor 
cottages,  with  shrieks  and  alarms,  to  warn  their  neigh- 
bours of  enemies,  but  by  gentle  persuasions  we  re- 
claimed them  to  their  houses.  It  seemeth  they  are 
often  frightened  with  pirates,  or  some  other  enemies, 
that  move  them  to  such  sudden  fear. 


38  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

Their  houses  are  very  simply  built  with  pebble  stone, 
without  any  chimneys,  the  fire  being  made  in  the  midst 
thereof.  The  good  man,  wife,  children,  and  other  of 
their  family  eat  and  sleep  on  the  one  side  of  the  house, 
and  the  cattle  on  the  other,  very  beastly  and  rudely, 
in  respect  of  civility.  They  are  destitute  of  wood, 
their  fire  is  turfs.  They  have  com  and  oats,  with 
which  they  pay  their  king's  rent,  to  the  maintenance 
of  his  house.  They  take  great  quantity  of  fish,  which 
they  dry  in  the  wind  and  sun.  They  dress  their  meat 
ver\^  filthily,  and  eat  it  without  salt.  Their  apparel  is 
after  the  rudest  sort  of  Scotland.  Their  money  is  all 
base.  Their  church  and  religion  is  reformed  according 
to  the  Scots.  The  fishermen  of  England  can  better 
declare  the  dispositions  of  those  people  than  I :  where- 
fore I  remit  other  their  usages  to  their  reports,  a? 
yearly  repair  thither,  in  their  course  to  and  from 
Iceland  for  fish. 

We  departed  here-hence  the  8th  of  June,  and  followed 
our  course  between  west  and  north-west,  until  the 
4th  of  July:  all  which  time  we  had  no  night,  but  that 
easily  and  without  any  impediment  we  had,  when  we 
were  so  disposed,  the  fruition  of  our  books,  and  other 
pleasures  to  pass  away  the  time:  a  thing  of  no  small 
moment  to  such  as  wander  in  unknown  seas  and  long 
navigations,  especialh'  when  both  the  winds  and  raging 
surges  do  pass  their  common  and  wonted  course.  This 
benefit  cndureth  in  those  parts  not  six  weeks,  while 
the  sun  is  near  the  Tropic  of  Cancer:  but  where  the 
Pole  is  raised  to  70  or  80  degrees,  it  continueth  much 
longer. 

All  along  these  seas,  after  we  were  six  days  sailing 
from  Orkney,  we  met  floating  in  the  sea,  great  fir 
trees,  which,  as  we  judged,  were  with  the  fury  of  great 


MARTIN    FROBISHER  39 

floods  rooted  up,  and  so  driven  into  the  sea.  Iceland 
hath  almost  no  other  wood  nor  fuel,  but  such  as  they 
take  up  upon  their  coasts.  It  seemeth,  that  these  trees 
are  driven  from  some  part  of  the  Newfoundland, 
with  the  current  that  setteth  from  the  west  to  the 
east. 

The  4th  of  July  we  came  within  the  making  of  Fries- 
land.  From  this  shore  ten  or  twelve  leagues,  we  met 
great  islands  of  ice,  of  half  a  mile,  some  more,  some  less 
in  compass,  showing  above  the  sea,  thirty  or  forty 
fathoms,  and  as  we  supposed  fast  on  ground,  where 
with  our  lead  we  could  scarce  sound  the  bottom  for 
depth. 

Here,  in  the  place  of  odoriferous  and  fragrant  smells 
of  sweet  gums,  and  pleasant  notes  of  musical  birds, 
which  other  countries  in  more  temperate  zones  do 
yield,  we  tasted  the  most  boisterous  boreal  blasts 
mixed  with  snow  and  hail,  in  the  months  of  June  and 
July,  nothing  inferior  to  our  intemperate  winter:  a 
sudden  alteration,  and  especially  in  a  place  of  parallel, 
where  the  Pole  is  not  elevated  above  61  degrees:  at 
which  height  other  countries  more  to  the  north,  yea 
unto  70  degrees,  show  themselves  more  temperate  than 
this  doth. 

All  along  this  coast  ice  lieth,  as  a  continual  bulwark, 
and  so  defendeth  the  country,  that  those  that  would 
land  there,  incur  great  danger.  Our  general  three  davs 
together  attempted  with  the  ship's  boat  to  have  gone 
on  shore,  which  for  that  without  great  danger  he  could 
not  accomplish,  he  deferred  it  until  a  more  convenient 
time.  All  along  the  coast  lie  very  high  mountains 
covered  with  snow,  except  in  such  places,  where 
through  the  steepness  of  the  mountains  of  force  it 
must  needs  fall.     Four  days  coasting  along  this  land. 


40  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

we  found  no  sign  of  habitation.  Little  birds,  which 
we  judged  to  have  lost  the  shore,  by  reason  of  thick 
fogs  which  that  country  is  much  subject  unto,  came 
flying  into  our  ships,  which  causeth  us  to  suppose  that 
the  country  is  both  more  tolerable,  and  also  habitable 
within,  than  the  outward  shore  maketh  show  or 
signification. 

From  hence  we  departed  the  8th  of  July:  and  the 
i6th  of  the  same  we  came  within  the  making  of  land, 
whch  land  our  general  the  year  before  had  named 
the  Queen's  Foreland,  being  an  island  as  we  judge, 
lying  near  the  supposed  continent  with  America: 
and  on  the  other  side,  opposite  to  the  same,  one  other 
island  called  Hall's  Island,  after  the  name  of  the  master 
of  the  ship,  near  adjacent  to  the  firm  land,  supposed 
continent  with  Asia.  Between  the  which  two  islands 
there  is  a  large  entrance  or  strait,  called  Frobisher's 
Strait,  after  the  name  of  our  general,  the  first  finder 
thereof.  This  said  strait  is  supposed  to  have  passage 
into  the  sea  of  Sur,  which  I  have  unknown  as  yet. 

It  seemeth  that  either  here,  or  not  far  hence,  the 
sea  should  have  more  large  entrance,  than  in  other 
parts  within  the  frozen  or  intemperate  zone:  and 
that  some  contrary  tide,  either  from  the  east  or  west, 
with  main  force  casteth  out  that  great  quantity  of 
ice,  which  cometh  floating  from  this  coast,  even  into 
Friesland,  causing  that  country  to  seem  more  in- 
temperate than  others  much  more  northerly  than  the 
same. 

I  cannot  judge  that  any  temperature  under  the  Pole, 
the  time  of  the  sun's  northern  declination  being  half 
a  year  together,  and  one  whole  day  (considering  that 
the  sun's  elevation  surmounteth  not  23  degrees  and 
30  minutes)  can  have  power  to  dissolve  such  monstrous 


MARTIN   FROBISHER  41 

and  huge  ice,  comparable  to  great  mountains,  except 
by  some  other  force,  as  by  swift  currents  and  tides, 
with  the  help  of  the  said  day  of  half  a  year. 

Before  we  came  within  the  making  of  these  lands  we 
tasted  cold  storms,  insomuch  that  it  seemed  we  had 
changed  summer  with  winter,  if  the  length  of  the  days 
had  not  removed  us  from  that  opinion. 

At  our  first  coming,  the  straits  seemed  to  be  shut 
up  with  a  long  mure  of  ice,  which  gave  no  little  cause 
of  discomfort  unto  us  all  :  but  our  general  (to  whose 
diligence  imminent  dangers  and  difficult  attempts 
seemed  nothing,  in  respect  of  his  willing  mind,  for  the 
commodity  of  his  prince  and  country),  with  two  little 
pinnaces  prepared  of  purpose,  passed  twice  through 
them  to  the  east  shore,  and  the  islands  thereunto 
adjacent:  and  the  ship,  with  the  two  barques,  lav 
off  and  on  something  further  into  the  sea,  from  the 
danger  of  the  ice. 

Whilst  he  was  searching  the  country'  near  the  shore, 
some  of  the  people  of  the  country-  showed  themselves 
leaping  and  dancing,  with  strange  shrieks  and  cries, 
which  gave  no  little  admiration  to  our  men.  Our 
general,  desirous  to  allure  them  unto  him  by  fair  means, 
caused  knives  and  other  things  to  be  proffered  unto 
them,  which  they  would  not  take  at  our  hands:  but 
being  laid  on  the  ground,  and  the  party  going  away, 
they  came  and  took  up,  leaving  something  of  theirs 
to  countervail  the  same.  At  the  length  two  of  them 
leaving  their  weapons,  came  down  to  our  general  and 
master,  who  did  the  like  to  them,  commanding  the 
company  to  stay,  and  went  unto  them,  but  they 
deliverly  escaped  and  ran  to  their  bows  and  arrows, 
and  came  fiercely  upon  them  (not  respecting  the  rest 
of  our  company  which  were  ready  for  their  defence). 

*B 


42  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

but  with  their  arrows  hurt  divers  of  them:  we  took 
the  one,  and  the  other  escaped. 

Whilst  our  general  was  busied  in  searching  the 
countr\%  and  those  islands  adjacent  on  the  east  shore, 
the  ship  and  barques,  having  great  care  not  to  put 
far  into  the  sea  from  him,  for  that  he  had  small  store 
of  victuals,  were  forced  to  abide  in  a  cruel  tempest, 
chancing  in  the  night,  amongst  and  in  the  thickest 
of  the  ice,  which  was  so  monstrous,  that  even  the  least 
of  a  thousand  had  been  of  force  sufficient  to  have 
shivered  our  ship  and  barques  into  small  portions,  if 
God  (who  in  all  necessities,  hath  care  upon  the  in- 
firmity of  man)  had  not  provided  for  this  our  extremity 
a  sufficient  remedy  through  the  light  of  the  night, 
whereby  we  might  well  discern  to  flee  from  such 
imminent  dangers. 

If  we  had  not  incurred  this  danger  amongst  these 
monstrous  islands  of  ice,  we  should  have  lost  our 
general  and  master,  and  the  most  of  our  best  sailors, 
which  were  on  the  shore  destitute  of  victuals:  but 
by  the  valour  of  our  master  gunner,  Master  Jackman, 
and  Andrew  Dier,  the  master's  mates,  men  expert  both 
in  navigation,  and  other  good  qualities,  we  were  all 
content  to  incur  the  dangers  afore  rehearsed  before 
we  v/ould,  with  our  own  safety,  run  into  the  seas, 
to  the  destruction  of  our  said  general,  and  his 
company. 

The  day  following,  being  the  19th  of  July,  our 
captain  returned  to  the  ship,  with  report  of  supposed 
riches,  which  showed  itself  in  the  bowels  of  those 
barren  mountains,  wherewith  we  were  all  satisfied. 

Within  four  days  after  we  had  been  at  the  entrance 
of  the  straits,  the  north-west  and  west  winds  dis- 
persed  the   ice   into   the  sea,   and   made  us   a  large 


MARTIN    FROBISHER  43 

entrance  into  the  straits,  so  that  without  any  impedi- 
ment, on  the  19th  of  July  we  entered  them,  and  the 
20th  thereof,  our  general  and  master  with  great  dili- 
gence sought  out  and  sounded  the  west  shore,  and 
found  out  a  fair  harbour  for  the  ship  and  barques  to 
ride  in,  and  named  it  after  our  master's  mate.  Jack- 
man's  Sound,  and  brought  the  ship,  barques,  and  all 
their  company  to  safe  anchor,  except  one  man,  which 
died  by  God's  visitation. 

At  our  first  arrival,  after  the  ship  rode  at  anchor, 
our  general,  with  such  company  as  could  well  be  spared 
from  the  ships,  in  marching  order  entered  the  land, 
having  special  care  by  exhortations,  that  at  our 
entrance  thereinto,  we  should  all  with  one  voice, 
kneeling  upon  our  knees,  chiefly  thank  God  for  our 
safe  arrival:  secondly  beseech  Him,  that  it  would 
please  His  Divine  Majesty,  long  to  continue  our  queen, 
for  whom  he,  and  all  the  rest  of  our  company  in  this 
order,  took  possession  of  the  country:  and  thirdh', 
that  by  our  Christian  study  and  endeavour,  those 
barbarous  people,  trained  up  in  Paganism  and  infi- 
delity, might  be  reduced  to  the  knowledge  of  true 
religion,  and  to  the  hope  of  salvation  in  Christ  our 
Redeemer.  With  other  words  very  apt  to  signify  his 
willing  mind,  and  affection  towards  his  prince  and 
countr\':  and  whereby  all  suspicion  of  an  undutiful 
subject  may  credibly  be  judged  to  be  utterly  exempted 
from  his  mind.  All  the  rest  of  the  gentlemen  and 
other  deserve  worthily  herein  their  due  praise  and 
commendation. 

These  things  in  this  order  accomplished,  our  general 
commanded  all  the  company  to  be  obedient  in  things 
needful  for  our  own  safeguard,  to  Master  Fenton, 
Master  York,  and  Master  Beast  his  lieutenant,  while 


44  STORIES   FROM  HAKLUYT 

he  was  occupied  in  other  necessary  affairs,  concerning 
our  coming  thither. 

After  this  order  we  marched  through  the  country 
with  ensign  displayed,  so  far  as  was  thought  needful, 
and  now  and  then  heaped  up  stones  on  high  mountains 
and  other  places  in  token  of  possession,  as  likewise  to 
signify  unto  such  as  hereafter  ma}^  chance  to  arrive 
there,  that  possession  is  taken  in  the  behalf  of  some 
other  prince,  by  those  who  first  found  out  the  country. 

Whoso  maketh  navigations  to  those  countries,  hath 
not  only  extreme  winds,  and  furious  seas  to  encounter 
withal,  but  also  many  monstrous  and  great  islands  of 
ice:  a  thing  both  rare,  wonderful,  and  greatly  to  be 
regarded. 

We  were  forced  sundry  times,  while  the  ship  did 
ride  here  at  anchor,  to  have  continual  watch,  with 
boats  and  men  ready  with  haw^sers  to  knit  fast  unto 
such  ice,  as  with  the  ebb  and  flood  were  tossed  to  and 
fro  in  the  harbour,  and  with  force  of  oars  to  haul  them 
away,  for  endangering  the  ship. 

Our  general  certain  days  searched  this  supposed 
continent  with  America,  and  not  finding  the  commodity 
to  answer  his  expectation,  after  he  had  made  trial 
thereof,  he  departed  thence  with  two  little  barques, 
and  men  sufficient,  to  the  east  shore,  being  the  supposed 
continent  of  Asia,  and  left  the  ship  with  most  of  the 
gentlemen,  soldiers,  and  sailors,  until  such  time  as  he 
either  thought  good  to  send  or  come  for  them. 

The  stones  of  this  supposed  continent  with  America 
be  altogether  sparkled,  and  glisten  in  the  sun  like  gold: 
so  likewise  doth  the  sand  in  the  bright  water,  yet  they 
verif\r  the  old  proverb:    All  is  not  gold  that  glistereth. 

On  this  west  shore  we  found  a  dead  fish  floating, 
which  had  in  its  nose  a  horn  straight  and  torquet,  of 


MARTIN   FROBISHER  45 

length  two  yards  lacking  two  inches,  being  broken  in 
the  top,  where  we  might  perceive  it  hollow,  into  the 
which  some  of  our  sailors  putting  spiders  they  presently 
died.  I  saw  not  the  trial  hereof,  but  it  was  reported 
unto  me  of  a  truth :  by  the  virtue  whereof  we  supposed 
it  to  be  the  sea-unicorn. 

After  our  general  had  found  out  good  harbour  for 
the  ship  and  barques  to  anchor  in,  and  also  such  store 
of  supposed  gold  ore  as  he  thought  himself  satif-fied 
withal,  he  returned  to  the  Michael,  whereof  Master 
York  aforesaid  was  captain,  accompanied  with  our 
master  and  his  mate:  who  coasting  along  the  west 
shore,  not  far  from  whence  the  ship  rode,  they  per- 
ceived a  fair  harbour,  and  willing  to  sound  the  same, 
at  the  entrance  thereof  they  espied  two  tents  of  seal- 
skins, unto  which  the  captain,  our  said  master,  and 
other  company  resorted.  At  the  sight  of  our  men  the 
people  fled  into  the  mountains:  nevertheless  they 
went  to  their  tents,  where  leaving  certain  trifles  of 
ours,  as  glasses,  bells,  knives,  and  such  hke  things, 
they  departed,  not  taking  anything  of  theirs  except 
one  dog.  They  did  in  like  manner  leave  behind  them 
a  letter,  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  whereby'  our  men  whom 
the  captain  lost  the  year  before,  and  in  that  people's 
custody,  might  (if  any  of  them  were  alive)  be  adver- 
tised of  our  presence  and  being  there. 

On  the  same  day,  after  consultation  had,  all  the 
gentlemen,  and  others  likewise  that  could  be  spared 
from  the  ship,  under  the  conduct  and  leading  of 
Master  Philpot  (unto  whom  in  our  general  his  absence, 
and  his  lieutenant  Master  Beast,  all  the  rest  were 
obedient)  went  ashore,  determining  to  see,  if  bv  fair 
means  we  could  either  allure  them  to  familiarity,  or 
otherwise  take  some  of  them,  and  so  attain  to  some 


46  STORIES    FROM   HAKLUYT 

knowledge  of  those  men  whom  our  general  lost  the 
year  before. 

At  our  coming  back  again  to  the  place  where  our 
tents  were  before,  they  had  removed  their  tents  further 
into  the  said  bay  or  sound,  where  they  might,  if  they 
were  driven  from  the  land,  flee  with  their  boats  into 
the  sea.  We  parting  ourselves  into  two  companies, 
and  compassing  a  mountain  came  suddenly  upon  them 
by  land,  who  espying  us,  without  any  tarrying  fled  to 
their  boats,  leaving  the  most  part  of  their  oars  behind 
them  for  haste,  and  rowed  down  the  bay,  where  our 
two  pinnaces  met  them  and  drove  them  on  to  shore: 
but  if  they  had  had  all  their  oars,  so  swift  are  they  in 
rowing  it  had  been  lost  time  to  have  chased  them. 

When  they  were  landed  they  fiercely  assaulted  our 
men  with  their  bows  and  arrows,  who  wounded  three 
of  them  with  our  arrows:  and  perceiving  themselves 
thus  hurt,  they  desperately  leapt  off  the  rocks  into 
the  sea,  and  drowned  themselves ;  but  if  by  any  means 
we  could  have  taken  them  alive  (being  their  enemies 
as  they  judged)  we  would  both  have  saved  them,  and 
also  have  sought  remedy  to  cure  their  wounds  received 
at  our  hands.  But  they  altogether  void  of  humanity, 
and  ignorant  what  mercy  meaneth,  in  extremities  look 
for  no  other  than  death:  and  perceiving  they  should 
fall  into  our  hands,  thus  miserably  by  drowning  rather 
desired  death  than  otherwise  to  be  saved  by  us:  the 
rest  perceiving  their  fellows  in  this  distress,  fled  into 
the  high  mountains. 

Two  women  not  being  so  apt  to  escape  as  the  men 
were,  the  one  for  her  age,  and  the  other  being  encum- 
bered with  a  young  child,  we  took.  The  old  wretch, 
whom  divers  of  our  sailors  supposed  to  be  either  a 
devil  or  a  witch,  had  her  buskins  plucked  off,  to  see 


MARTIN    FROBISHER  47 

if  she  were  cloven  footed,  and  for  her  ugly  hue  and 
deformity  we  let  her  go:  the  young  woman  and  the 
child  we  brought  away.  We  named  the  place  where 
they  were  slain,  Bloody  Point :  and  the  bay  or  harbour. 
York's  Sound,  after  the  name  of  one  of  the  captains  of 
the  two  barques. 

Having  this  knowledge  both  of  their  fierceness  and 
cruelty,  and  perceiving  that  fair  means  as  yet  is  not 
able  to  allure  them  to  famiUarity,  we,  disposed  our- 
selves, contrary  to  our  incHnation,  something  to  be 
cruel,  returned  to  their  tents  and  made  a  spoil  of  the 
same:  where  we  found  an  old  shirt,  a  doublet,  a 
girdle,  and  also  shoes  of  our  men,  whom  we  lost  the 
year  before:  on  nothing  else  unto  them  belonging 
could  we  set  our  e\'es. 

Their  riches  are  not  gold,  silver  or  precious  drapery, 
but  their  said  tents  and  boats,  made  of  the  skins  of 
red  deer  and  seal-skins:  also  dogs  hke  unto  wolves, 
but  for  the  most  part  black,  with  other  trifles,  more 
to  be  wondered  at  for  their  strangeness,  than  for  any 
other  commodity  needful  for  our  use. 

Thus  returning  to  our  ship  the  3rd  of  August,  we 
departed  from  the  west  shore  supposed  firm  with 
America,  after  we  had  anchored  there  thirteen  days: 
and  so  the  4th  thereof  we  came  to  our  general  on  the 
east  shore,  and  anchored  in  a  fair  harbour  named 
Anne  Warwick's  Sound,  unto  which  is  annexed  an 
island,  both  named  after  the  Countess  of  Warwick, 
Anne  Warwick's  Sound  and  Isle. 

In  this  isle  our  general  thought  good  for  this  voyage, 
to  freight  both  the  ship  and  barques,  with  such  stone 
or  supposed  gold  mineral,  as  he  judged  to  countervail 
the  charges  of  the  first,  and  this  his  second  navigation 
to  these  countries. 


48  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

In  the  meantime  of  our  abode  here  some  of  the 
country  people  came  to  show  themselves  unto  us, 
sundry  times  on  the  main  shore,  near  adjacent  to  the 
said  isle.  Our  general,  desirous  to  have  some  news  of 
his  men,  whom  he  lost  the  year  before,  with  some 
company  with  him  repaired  with  the  ship's  boat  to 
sign  with  them  for  familiarity,  whereunto  he  is  per- 
suaded to  bring  them.  They  at  the  first  show  made 
tokens,  that  three  of  his  five  men  were  aUve,  and 
desired  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and  that  within  three  or 
four  days  they  would  return,  and  (as  we  judged)  bring 
those  of  our  men  which  were  living,  with  them. 

They  also  made  signs  and  tokens  of  their  king, 
whom  they  called  Cacough,  and  how  he  was  carried 
on  men's  shoulders,  and  a  man  far  surmounting  any 
of  our  company,  in  bigness  and  stature. 

With  these  tokens  and  signs  of  writing,  pen,  ink, 
and  paper  was  delivered  to  them,  which  they  would 
not  take  at  our  hands,  but  being  laid  upon  the  shore, 
and  the  party  gone  away,  they  took  up:  which  like- 
wise they  do  when  they  desire  anything  for  change  of 
theirs,  laying  for  that  which  is  left  so  much  as  they 
think  will  countervail  the  same,  and  not  coming  near 
together.  It  seemeth  they  have  been  used  to  this 
trade  or  traffic,  with  some  other  people  adjoining,  or 
not  far  distant  from  their  country. 

After  four  days  some  of  them  showed  themselves 
upon  the  firm  land,  but  not  where  they  w"ere  before. 
Our  general  very  glad  thereof,  supposing  to  hear  of 
our  men,  went  from  the  island,  with  the  boat,  and 
sufficient  company  with  him.  They  seemed  very  glad, 
and  allured  him  about  a  certain  point  of  the  land: 
behind  w^hich  they  might  perceive  a  company  of  the 
crafty  villains  to  lie  lurking,  whom  our  general  would 


MARTIN  FROBISHER  49 

not  deal  withal,  for  that  he  knew  not  what  company 
they  were,  and  so  with  few  signs  dismissed  them  and 
returned  to  his  company. 

Another  time  as  our  said  general  was  coasting  the 
country  with  two  little  pinnaces,  whereby  at  our  return 
he  might  make  the  better  relation  thereof,  three  of 
the  crafty  villains,  with  a  white  skin  allured  us  to 
them.  Once  again  our  general,  for  that  he  hoped  to 
hear  of  his  men,  went  towards  them:  at  our  coming 
near  the  shore  whereon  they  were,  we  might  perceive 
a  number  of  them  he  hidden  behind  great  stones,  and 
those  three  in  sight  labouring  by  all  means  possible 
that  some  would  come  on  land:  and  perceiving  we 
we  made  no  haste,  by  words  or  friendly  signs,  which 
they  used  by  clapping  of  their  hands,  and  being  without 
weapon,  and  but  three  in  sight,  they  sought  further 
means  to  provoke  us  thereunto.  One  alone  laid  flesh 
on  the  shore,  which  we  took  up  with  the  boat-hook, 
as  necessary  victuals  for  the  relieving  of  the  man, 
woman,  and  child,  whom  we  had  taken:  for  that  as 
yet  they  could  not  digest  our  meat:  whereby  they 
perceived  themselves  deceived  of  their  expectation, 
for  all  their  crafty  allurements. 

Yet  once  again  to  make  (as  it  were)  a  full  show  of 
their  crafty  natures,  and  subtle  sleights,  to  the  intent 
thereby  to  have  entrapped  and  taken  some  of  our 
men,  one  of  them  counterfeited  himself  impotent  and 
lame  of  his  legs,  who  seemed  to  descend  to  the  water 
side,  with  great  difficulty:  and  to  cover  his  craft  the 
more,  one  of  his  fellows  came  down  with  him,  and  in 
such  places  where  he  seemed  unable  to  pass,  he  took 
him  on  his  shoulders,  set  him  by  the  water  side,  and 
departed  from  him,  leaving  him  (as  it  should  seemJ 
all  alone,  who  playing  his  counterfeit  pageant  ven- 


50  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

well,  thought  thereby  to  provoke  some  of  us  to  come 
on  shore,  not  fearing,  but  that  one  of  us  might  make 
our  party  good  with  a  lame  man. 

Our  general  having  compassion  of  his  impotency, 
thought  good  (if  it  were  possible)  to  cure  him  thereof: 
wherefore  he  caused  a  soldier  to  shoot  at  him  with 
his  caleever,  which  grazed  before  his  face.  The  counter- 
feit villain  deliverly  fled,  without  any  impediment  at 
all,  and  got  him  to  his  bow  and  arrows,  and  the  rest 
from  their  lurking  holes,  with  their  weapons,  bows, 
arrows,  slings,  and  darts.  Our  general  caused  some 
caleevers  to  be  shot  off  at  them,  whereby  some  being 
hurt,  they  might  hereafter  stand  in  more  fear  of  us. 

This  was  all  the  answer  for  this  time  we  could  have 
of  our  men,  or  of  our  general's  letter.  Their  crafty 
dealing  at  these  three  several  times  being  thus  mani- 
fest unto  us,  may  plainly  show  their  disposition  in 
other  things  to  be  correspondent.  We  judged  that 
they  used  these  stratagems,  thereby  to  have  caught 
some  of  us,  for  the  delivering  of  the  man,  woman  and 
child  whom  we  had  taken. 

They  are  men  of  a  large  corporature,  and  good 
proportion:  their  colour  is  not  much  unlike  the  sun- 
burnt country-man,  who  laboureth  daily  in  the  sun 
for  his  Uving. 

They  wear  their  hair  something  long,  and  cut  before 
either  with  stone  or  knife,  very  disorderly.  Their 
women  wear  their  hair  long,  and  knit  up  with  two 
loops,  showing  forth  on  either  side  of  their  faces,  and 
the  rest  foltred  upon  a  knot.  Also  some  of  their 
women  race  their  faces  proportionally,  as  chin,  cheeks, 
and  forehead,  and  the  wrists  of  their  hands,  whereupon 
they  lay  a  colour  which  continueth  dark  azurine. 

They  eat  their  meat  all  raw,  both  flesh,  fish,  and 


MARTIN   FROBISHER  51 

fowl,  or  something  parboiled  with  blood  and  a  little 
water  w^hich  they  drink.  For  lack  of  water  they  will 
eat  ice,  that  is  hard  frozen,  as  pleasantly  as  we  will 
do  sugar-candy,  or  other  sugar. 

If  they  for  necessity's  sake  stand  in  need  of  medicine, 
such  grass  as  the  country  yields  they  pluck  up  and 
eat,  not  daintily,  or  salletwise  to  allure  their  stomachs 
to  appetite:  but  for  necessity's  sake  without  either 
salt,  oils  or  washing,  like  brute  beasts  devouring  the 
same.  They  neither  use  table,  stool,  or  table-cloth 
for  comeliness :  but  when  they  are  imbrued  with  blood 
knuckle-deep,  and  their  knives  in  like  sort,  they  use 
their  tongues  as  apt  instruments  to  Hck  them  clean: 
in  doing  whereof  they  are  assured  to  lose  none  of  their 
victuals. 

They  frank  or  keep  certain  dogs  not  much  unlike 
wolves,  which  they  yoke  together,  as  we  do  oxen  and 
horses,  to  a  sledge  or  trail:  and  so  carry  their  neces- 
saries over  the  ice  and  snow  from  place  to  place:  as 
the  captive,  whom  we  have,  made  perfect  signs.  And 
when  those  dogs  are  not  apt  for  the  same  use,  or 
when  with  hunger  they  are  constrained  for  lack  of 
other  victuals,  the}'  eat  them:  so  that  they  are  as 
needful  for  them,  in  respect  of  their  bigness,  as  are  our 
oxen  for  us. 

They  apparel  themselves  in  the  skins  of  such  beasts 
as  they  kill,  sewed  together  with  the  sinews  of  them. 
All  the  fowl  which  they  kill,  they  skin,  and  make 
thereof  one  kind  of  garment  or  other,  to  defend  them 
from  the  cold. 

They  make  their  apparel  with  hoods  and  tails, 
which  tails  they  give  when  they  think  to  gratify  any 
friendship  showed  unto  them:  a  great  sign  of  friend- 
ship with  them. 


52  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

The  men  and  women  wear  their  hose  close  to  their 
legs,  from  the  waist  to  the  knee  without  any  opening 
before,  as  well  the  one  kind  as  the  other.  Upon  their 
legs  they  wear  hose  of  leather,  with  the  fur  side  inward, 
two  or  three  pair  on  at  once,  and  especially  the  women. 
In  those  hose  they  put  their  knives,  needles,  and  other 
things  needful  to  bear  about.  They  put  a  bone  within 
their  hose,  which  reacheth  from  the  foot  to  the  knee, 
whereupon  they  draw  their  said  hose,  and  so  in  place 
of  garters  they  are  holden  from  falling  down  about 
their  feet. 

They  dress  their  skins  very  soft  and  supple  with  the 
hair  on.  In  cold  weather  of  winter  they  wear  the  fur 
side  inward:  and  in  summer  outward.  Other  apparel 
they  have  none  but  the  said  skins. 

Those  beasts,  fishes,  and  fowls,  which  they  kill, 
are  their  meat,  drink,  apparel,  houses,  bedding,  hose, 
shoes,  thread,  and  sails  for  their  boats,  with  many 
other  necessaries  whereof  they  stand  in  need,  and 
almost  all  their  riches. 

Their  houses  are  tents  made  of  seal-skins,  pitched 
up  with  four  fir  quarters,  four-square  meeting  at  the 
top,  and  the  skins  sewed  together  with  sinews,  and  laid 
thereupon :  they  are  so  pitched  up,  that  the  entrance 
unto  them  is  always  south  or  against  the  sun. 

They  have  other  sorts  of  houses  which  we  found  not 
to  be  inhabited,  which  are  raised  with  stones  and 
whale-bones,  and  a  skin  laid  over  them,  to  withstand 
the  rain,  or  other  weather:  the  entrance  of  them 
being  not  much  unlike  an  oven's  mouth,  whereto  I 
think  they  resort  for  a  time  to  fish,  hunt,  and  fowl, 
and  so  leave  them  until  the  next  time  they  come 
thither  again. 

Their  weapons  are  bows,  arrows,  darts,  and  slings. 


MARTIN    FROBISHER  53 

Their  bows  are  of  wood  of  a  yard  long,  sinewed  at  the 
back  with  strong  sinews,  not  glued  to,  but  fast  girded 
and  tied  on.  Their  bow-strings  are  hkewise  sinews. 
Their  arrows  are  three  pieces  knocked  with  bone,  and 
ended  with  bone;  with  those  two  ends,  and  the  wood 
in  the  midst,  they  pass  not  in  length  half  a  yard  or 
little  more.  They  are  feathered  with  two  feathers, 
the  pen  end  being  cut  away,  and  the  feathers  laid  upon 
the  arrow  with  the  broad  side  to  the  wood ;  insomuch 
that  they  seem,  when  they  are  tied  on,  to  have  four 
feathers. 

They  have  also  three  sorts  of  heads  to  those  arrows : 
one  sort  of  stone  or  iron,  proportioned  like  to  a  heart: 
the  second  sort  of  bone,  much  like  unto  a  stopped 
head,  with  a  hook  on  the  same:  the  third  sort  of  bone 
likewise,  made  sharp  at  both  sides,  and  sharp-pointed. 
They  are  not  made  very  fast  but  lightly  tied  to,  or 
else  set  in  a  knock,  that  upon  small  occasion  the 
arrows  leave  these  heads  behind  them:  and  they  are 
of  small  force,  except  they  be  ver}'  near  when  they 
shoot. 

Their  darts  are  m.ade  of  two  sorts:  the  one  with 
many  forks  of  bones  in  the  fore  end  and  likewise  in 
the  midst:  their  proportions  are  not  much  unlike 
our  toasting  irons  but  longer:  these  they  cast  out 
of  an  instrument  of  wood,  very  readily.  The  other 
sort  is  greater  than  the  first  aforesaid,  with  a  long 
bone  made  sharp  on  both  sides  not  much  unlike  a 
rapier,  which  I  take  to  be  their  most  hurtful  weapon. 

They  have  two  sorts  of  boats  made  of  leather,  set 
out  on  the  inner  side  with  quarters  of  wood,  artiiiciallv 
tied  together  with  thongs  of  the  same;  the  greater 
sort  are  not  much  unlike  our  wherries,  wherein  sixteen 
or  twenty  men  may  sit:    they  have  for  a  sail  dressed 


54  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  guts  of  such  beasts  as  they  kill  very  fine  and  thin, 
which  they  sew  together:  the  other  boat  is  but  for 
one  man  to  sit  and  row  in  with  one  oar. 

Their  order  of  fishing,  hunting,  and  fowling  are  with 
these  said  weapons:  but  in  what  sort,  or  how  they  use 
them  we  have  no  perfect  knowledge  as  j^et. 

I  can  suppose  their  abode  or  habitation  not  to  be 
here,  for  that  neither  their  house  or  apparel  are  of 
such  force  to  withstand  the  extremity  of  cold,  that 
the  country  seemeth  to  be  affected  withal :  neither  do 
I  see  any  sign  likely  to  perform  the  same. 

Those  houses  or  rather  dens  which  stand  there,  have 
no  sign  of  footway,  or  anything  else  trodden,  which  is 
one  of  the  chiefest  tokens  of  habitation.  And  those 
tents  which  they  bring  with  them,  when  they  have 
sufficiently  hunted  and  fished,  they  remove  to  other 
places:  and  when  they  have  sufficiently  stored  in 
them  of  such  victuals  as  the  country  yicldeth  or 
bringeth  forth,  they  return  to  their  winter  stations 
or  habitations.  This  conjecture  do  I  make,  for  the 
infertility  which  I  conjecture  to  be  in  that  country. 

They  have  some  iron  whereof  they  make  arrow- 
heads, knives,  and  other  little  instruments,  to  work 
their  boats,  bows,  arrows,  and  darts  withal,  which 
are  very  inapt  to  do  anything  withal  but  with  great 
labour. 

It  seemeth  that  they  have  conversation  with  some 
other  people,  of  whom  for  exchange  they  should 
receive  the  same.  They  are  greatly  delighted  with 
anything  that  is  bright,  or  giveth  a  sound. 

What  knowledge  they  have  of  God,  or  what  idol 
they  adore,  we  have  no  perfect  intelligence.  I  think 
them  rather  anthropophagi,  or  devourers  of  man's 
flesh  than  otherwise:    for  that  there  is  no  flesh  or  fish 


MARTIN    FROBISHER  55 

which  they  find  dead  (smell  it  never  so  filthily)  but 
they  will  eat  it  as  they  find  it,  without  any  other 
dressing.  A  loathsome  thing,  either  to  the  beholders 
or  hearers. 

There  is  no  manner  of  creeping  beast  hurtful,  except 
some  spiders  (which  as  many  affirm,  are  signs  of  great 
store  of  gold)  and  also  certain  stinging  gnats,  which 
bite  so  fiercely  that  the  place  where  they  bite  shortly 
after  swelleth  and  itcheth  very  sore. 

They  make  signs  of  certain  people  that  wear  bright 
plates  of  gold  in  their  foreheads,  and  other  places  of 
their  bodies. 

The  countries  on  both  sides  the  straits  he  very  high 
with  rough  stony  mountains,  and  great  quantities 
of  snow  thereon.  There  is  ver\'  little  plain  ground  and. 
no  grass,  except  a  little  which  is  much  like  unto  moss 
that  groweth  on  soft  ground,  such  as  we  get  turfs  in. 
There  is  no  wood  at  all.  To  be  brief  there  is  notliing  fit 
or  profitable  for  the  use  of  man,  which  that  country' 
with  root  yieldeth  or  bringeth  forth.  Howbeit  there 
is  great  quantity  of  deer,  whose  skins  are  like  unto 
asses':  their  heads  or  horns  do  far  exceed,  as  well  in 
length  as  also  in  breadth,  any  in  these  our  parts  or 
countries:  their  feet  likewise  are  as  great  as  our  oxen's, 
which  we  measured  to  be  six  or  eight  inches  in  breadth. 
There  are  also  hares,  wolves,  fishing  bears,  and  sea-fowl 
of  sundry  sorts. 

As  the  country  is  barren  and  unfertile,  so  are  they 
rude  and  of  no  capacity  to  culture  the  same  to  any 
perfection:  but  are  contented  by  their  hunting,  fishing 
and  fowhng,  with  raw  flesh  and  warm  blood  to  satisfy 
their  greedy  paunches,  which  is  their  only  glory. 

There  is  great  likelihood  of  earthquakes  or  thunder : 
for  that   there  are  huge  and  monstrous  mountains, 


56  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

whose  great  substance  are  stones,  and  those  stones  so 
shaken  with  some  extraordinary  means  that  one  is 
separated  from  another,  which  is  discordant  from  all 
other  quarries. 

There  are  no  rivers  or  running  springs,  but  such  as 
through  the  heat  of  the  sun,  with  such  water  as  des- 
cendeth  from  the  mountains,  and  hills,  whereon  great 
drifts  of  snow  do  he,  are  engendered. 

It  argueth  also  that  there  should  be  none:  for  that 
the  earth,  which  with  the  extremity  of  the  winter  is 
so  frozen  within,  that  that  water  which  should  have 
recourse  within  the  same  to  maintain  springs,  hath 
not  his  motion,  whereof  great  waters  have  their 
original,  as  by  experience  is  seen  otherwhere.  Such 
valleys  as  are  capable  to  receive  the  water,  that  in  the 
summer  time  by  the  operation  of  the  sun  descendeth 
-from  great  abundance  of  snow,  which  continually 
lieth  on  the  mountains  and  hath  no  passage,  sinketh 
into  the  earth  and  so  vanisheth  away,  without  any 
runnel  above  the  earth,  by  which  occasion  or  continual 
standing  of  the  said  water,  the  earth  is  opened,  and  the 
great  frost  yieldeth  to  the  force  thereof,  while  in  other 
places  four  or  five  fathoms  within  the  ground,  for  lack 
of  the  said  moisture,  the  earth  (even  in  the  very 
summer  time)  is  frozen,  and  so  combineth  the  stones 
together,  that  scarcely  instruments  with  great  force 
can  unknit  them. 

Also  where  the  water  in  those  valleys  can  have  no 
such  passage  away,  by  the  continuance  of  time  in  such 
order  as  is  before  rehearsed,  the  yearly  descent  from 
the  mountains  filleth  them  full,  that  at  the  lowest  bank 
of  the  same,  they  fall  into  the  valley,  and  so  continue 
as  fishing  ponds  or  stagnes  in  summer  time  full  of  water, 
and  in  the  winter  hard  frozen :   as  by  scars  that  remain 


MARTIN   FROBISHER  57 

thereof  in  summer  may  easily  be  perceived:  so  that 
the  heat  of  summer  is  nothing  comparable  or  of  force 
to  dissolve  the  extremity  of  cold  that  cometh  in  winter. 
Nevertheless  I  am  assured  that  below  the  force  of 
the  frost  within  the  earth,  the  waters  have  recourse, 
and  empty  themselves  out  of  sight  into  the  sea,  which 
through  the  extremity  of  the  frost  are  constrained  to 
do  the  same:  by  which  occasion  the  earth  within  is 
kept  the  warmer,  and  springs  have  their  recourse, 
which  is  the  only  nutriment  of  gold  and  minerals 
within  the  same- 
There  is  much  to  be  said  of  the  commodities  of  these 
countries,  which  are  couched  within  the  bowels  of  the 
earth,  which  I  let  pass  till  more  perfect  trial  be  made 
thereof. 

The  24th  of  August,  after  we  had  satisfied  our  minds 
with  freight  sufficient  for  our  vessels,  though  not  our 
covetous  desires  with  such  knowledge  of  the  country, 
people,  and  other  commodities  as  are  before  rehearsed, 
we  departed  there-hence.  The  17th  of  September  we 
fell  with  the  Land's  End  of  England,  and  so  sailed  to 
Milford  Haven,  from  whence  our  general  rode  to  the 
Court  for  order,  to  what  port  or  haven  to  conduct  the 
ship. 

We  lost  our  two  barques  in  the  way  homeward,  the 
one  the  29th  of  August,  the  other  the  31st  of  the  same 
month,  by  occasion  of  great  tempest  and  fog.  Howbeit 
God  restored  the  one  to  Bristol,  and  the  other  made  his 
course  by  Scotland  to  Yarmouth.  In  this  voyage  we 
lost  two  men,  one  in  the  way  by  God's  visitation,  and 
the  other  homeward  cast  overboard  with  a  surge  of 
the  sea. 


The  famous  voyage  of  Sir  Francis  Drake  into  the 
South  Sea,  and  there-hence  about  the  whole  globe  of 
the  earth,  begun  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1577. 

The  15th  day  of  November  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1577,  M.  Francis  Drake,  with  a  fleet  of  five  ships  and 
barks,  and  to  the  number  of  164  men,  gentlemen  and 
sailors,  departed  from  Plymouth,  giving  out  his 
pretended  voyage  for  Alexandria:  but  the  wind 
falling  contrary,  he  was  forced  the  next  morning  to 
put  into  Falmouth  Haven  in  Cornwall,  where  such  and 
so  terrible  a  tempest  took  us,  as  few  men  have  seen  the 
like,  and  was  indeed  so  vehement  that  all  our  ships 
were  like  to  have  gone  to  wrack:  but  it  pleased  God 
to  preserve  us  from  that  extremity,  and  to  afflict  us 
only  for  that  present  with  these  two  particulars:  the 
mast  of  our  admiral,  which  was  the  Pelican,  was  cut 
overboard  for  the  safeguard  of  the  ship,  and  the 
Marigold  was  driven  ashore,  and  somewhat  bruised; 
for  the  repairing  of  which  damages  we  returned  again 
to  Plymouth,  and  having  recovered  those  harms  and 
brought  the  ships  again  to  good  state,  we  set  forth  the 
second  time  from  Plymouth  and  set  sail  the  13  th  day 
of  December  following. 

The  25th  day  of  the  same  month  we  fell  with  the 

Cape  Cantin  upon  the  coast  of  Barbary,  and  coasting 

along,  the  27th  day  we  found  an  island  called  Mogador, 

lying  one  mile  distant  from  the  main,  between  which 

Main.  Mainland  or  continent. 

58 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  59 

island  and  the  main  we  found  a  very  good  and  safe 
harbour  for  our  ships  to  ride  in,  as  also  very  good 
entrance,  and  void  of  any  danger. 

On  this  island  our  general  erected  a  pinnace,  whereof 
he  brought  out  of  England  with  him  four  already 
framed.  While  these  things  were  in  doing,  there  came 
to  the  water's  side  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country,  showing  forth  their  flags  of  truce,  which 
being  seen  of  our  general,  he  sent  his  ship's  boat  to 
the  shore,  to  know  what  they  would:  they  being 
walling  to  come  aboard,  our  men  left  there  one  man  of 
our  company  for  a  pledge,  and  brought  two  of  theirs 
aboard  our  ship,  which  by  signs  showed  our  general, 
that  the  next  day  they  would  bring  some  provision, 
as  sheep,  capons  and  hens,  and  suchlike:  whereupon 
our  general  bestowed  amongst  them  some  hnen-cloth 
and  shoes,  and  a  javelin,  which  they  very  joyfully 
received,  and  departed  for  that  time. 

The  next  morning  they  failed  not  to  come  again  to 
the  water's  side,  and  our  general  again  setting  out  our 
boat,  one  of  our  men  leaping  over-rashly  ashore,  and 
offering  friendly  to  embrace  them,  they  set  violent 
hands  on  him.  offering  a  dagger  to  his  throat  if  he  had 
made  any  resistance,  and  so  laying  him  on  a  horse, 
carried  him  away:  so  that  a  man  cannot  be  too  cir- 
cumspect and  w^ary  of  himself  among  such  miscreants. 

Our  pinnace  being  finished,  we  departed  from  this 
place  the  30th  and  last  day  of  December,  and  coasting 
along  the  shore,  we  did  descry,  not  contrary  to  our 
expectation,  certain  canters,  which  were  Spanish 
fishermen,  to  whom  we  gave  chase  and  took  three  of 
them,  and  proceeding  further  we  met  three  caravels 
and  took  them  also. 

The  17th  of  January  we  arrived  at  Cape  Blanco, 


6o  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

where  we  found  a  ship  riding  at  anchor,  within  the 
cape,  and  but  two  simple  mariners  in  her,  which  ship 
we  took  and  carried  her  further  into  the  harbour,  where 
we  remained  four  days,  and  in  that  space  our  general 
mustered,  and  trained  his  men  on  land  in  warlike 
manner,  to  make  them  fit  for  all  occasions. 

In  this  place  we  took  of  the  fishermen  such  neces- 
saries as  we  wanted,  and  they  could  yield  us,  and 
leaving  here  one  of  our  little  barks  called  the  Benedict, 
we  took  with  us  one  of  theirs  which  they  called  canters, 
being  of  the  burden  of  forty  tons  or  thereabouts. 

All  these  things  being  finished,  we  departed  this 
harbour  the  22nd  of  January,  carr^dng  along  with  us 
one  of  the  Portugal  caravels  which  was  bound  to  the 
islands  of  Cape  Verde  for  salt,  whereof  good  store  is 
made  in  one  of  those  islands. 

The  master  or  pilot  of  that  caravel  did  advertise 
our  general  that  upon  one  of  those  islands  called  Mayo 
there  was  great  store  of  dried  cabritos,  which  a  few 
inhabitants  there  dwelling  did  yearly  make  ready  for 
such  of  the  king's  ships  as  did  there  touch,  being 
bound  for  his  country  of  Brazil  or  elsewhere.  We 
fell  with  this  island  the  27th  of  January,  but  the 
inhabitants  would  in  no  case  traffic  with  us,  being 
thereof  forbidden  by  the  king's  edict:  yet  the  next 
day  our  general  sent,  to  view  the  island  and  the  likeli- 
hoods that  might  be  there  of  provision  of  victuals,  about 
threescore  and  two  men  under  the  conduct  and  govern- 
ment of  Master  Winter  and  Master  Doughty,  and 
marching  towards  the  chief  place  of  habitation  in  this 
island  (as  by  the  Portugal  we  were  informed)  having 
travelled  to  the  mountains  the  space  of  three  miles, 
and  arriving  there  somewhat  before  the  daybreak, 
we   arrested   ourselves   to   see  dav  before  us,   which 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  6i 

appearing,  we  found  the  inhabitants  to  be  fled;  but 
the  place,  by  reason  that  it  was  manured,  we  found  to 
be  more  fruitful  than  the  other  part,  especially  the 
valleys  among  the  hills. 

Here  we  gave  ourselves  a  little  refreshing,  as  by 
ver\'  ripe  and  sweet  grapes,  which  the  fruitfulness  of 
the  earth  at  that  season  of  the  5-ear  yielded  us;  and 
that  season  being  with  us  the  depth  of  winter,  it  may 
seem  strange  that  those  fruits  were  then  there  growing ; 
but  the  reason  thereof  is  this,  because  they  being 
between  the  Tropic,  and  the  Equinoctial,  the  sun 
passeth  twice  in  the  year  through  their  zenith  over 
their  heads,  by  means  whereof  they  have  two  summers, 
and  being  so  near  the  heat  of  the  line,  they  never  lose 
the  heat  of  the  sun  so  much,  but  the  fruits  have  their 
increase  and  continuance  in  the  midst  of  winter. 

The  island  is  wonderfully  stored  with  goats  and  wild 
hens,  and  it  hath  salt  also  without  labour,  save  onh- 
that  the  people  gather  it  into  heaps,  which  continuallv 
in  great  quantity  is  increased  upon  the  sands  by  the 
flowing  of  the  sea,  and  the  receiving  heat  of  the  sun 
kerning  the  same,  so  that  of  the  increase  thereof  they 
keep  a  continual  traffic  with  their  neighbours. 

Amongst  other  things,  we  found  here  a  kind  of  fruit 
called  cocos,  which  because  it  is  not  commonly  known 
with  us  in  England,  I  though  good  to  make  some 
description  of  it. 

The  tree  beareth  no  leaves  nor  branches,  but  at  the 
ver\^  top  the  fruit  groweth  in  clusters,  hard  at  the 
top  of  the  stem  of  the  tree,  as  big  ever\-  several  fniit 
as  a  man's  head:  but  having  taken  off  the  uttermost 
bark,  which  you  shall  find  to  be  ven,'  full  of  strings 
or  sinew^s,  as  I  may  term  them,  you  shall  come  to  a 
hard  shell  which  may  hold  of  quantity  in  liquor  a  pint 


62  STORIES   FROM    HAKLUYT 

commonly,  or  some  a  quart,  and  some  less:  within 
that  shell  of  the  thickness  of  half  an  inch  good,  you 
shall  have  a  kind  of  hard  substance  and  very  white, 
no  less  good  and  sw'eet  than  almonds:  within  that 
again  a  certain  clear  liquor,  which  being  drunk,  you 
shall  not  only  find  it  very  delicate  and  sweet,  but  most 
comfortable  and  cordial. 

After  we  had  satisfied  ourselves  with  some  of  these 
fruits,  we  marched  further  into  the  island,  and  saw 
great  store  of  cabritos  alive,  which  were  so  chased  by 
the  inhabitants,  that  we  could  do  no  good  toward  our 
provision,  but  they  had  laid  out,  as  it  were  to  stop  our 
mouths  withal,  certain  old  dried  cabritos,  which  being 
but  ill,  and  small  and  few,  we  made  no  account  of. 

Being  returned  to  our  ships,  our  general  departed 
hence  the  31st  of  this  month,  and  sailed  by  the  island 
of  San  lago,  but  far  enough  from  the  danger  of  the 
inhabitants,  who  shot  and  discharged  at  us  three 
pieces,  but  they  all  fell  short  of  us,  and  did  us  no  harm. 
The  island  is  fair  and  large,  and  as  it  seemeth,  rich 
and  fruitful,  and  inhabited  by  the  Portugals,  but  the 
mountains  and  high  places  of  the  island  are  said  to  be 
possessed  by  the  Moors,  who  having  been  slaves  to 
the  Portugals,  to  ease  themselves,  made  escape  to  the 
desert  places  of  the  island,  where  they  abide  with 
great   strength. 

Being  before  this  island,  we  espied  two  ships  under 
sail,  to  the  one  of  which  we  gave  chase,  and  in  the  end 
boarded  her  with  a  ship-boat  without  resistance, 
which  we  found  to  be  a  good  prize,  and  she  yielded 
unto  us  good  store  of  wine:  which  prize  our  general 
committed  to  the  custody  of  Master  Doughty,  and 
retaining  the  pilot,  sent  the  rest  away  with  his  pinnace, 
Cabritos.   Kids;   probably  antelopes. 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  63 

giving  them  a  butt  of  wine  and  some  victuals,  and 
their  wearing  clothes,  and  so  they  departed. 

The  same  night  we  came  with  the  island  called  by 
the  Portugals,  Ilha  del  Fogo,  that  is,  the  Burning 
Island:  in  the  north  side  whereof  is  a  consuming  ftre, 
the  matter  is  said  to  be  of  sulphur,  but  notwithstanding 
it  is  like  to  be  a  commodious  island,  because  the 
Portugals  have  built  and  do  inhabit  there. 

Upon  the  south  side  thereof  lieth  a  most  pleasant  and 
sweet  island,  the  trees  whereof  are  always  green  and  fair 
to  look  upon,  in  respect  whereof  they  call  it  Ilha  Brava, 
that  is,  the  Brave  Island.  From  the  banks  thereof 
into  the  sea  do  run  in  many  places  reasonable  streams 
of  fresh  waters  easy  to  be  come  by,  but  there  was  no 
convenient  road  for  our  ships:  for  such  was  the  depth, 
that  no  ground  could  be  had  for  anchoring,  and  it  is 
reported,  that  ground  was  never  found  in  that  place, 
so  that  the  tops  of  Fogo  bum  not  so  high  in  the  air, 
but  the  roots  of  Brava  are  quenched  as  low  in  the  sea. 

Being  departed  from  these  islands,  we  drew  towards 
the  Line,  where  we  were  becalmed  the  space  of  three 
weeks,  but  yet  subject  to  divers  great  storms,  terrible 
lightnings  and  much  thunder:  but  with  this  miserv  we 
had  the  commodity  of  great  store  of  fish,  as  dolphins, 
bonitos,  and  flying-fishes,  whereof  some  fell  into  our 
ships,  where-hence  they  could  not  rise  again  for 
want  of  moisture,  for  when  their  wings  are  dv}',  they 
cannot  iiy. 

From  the  first  dav  of  our  departure  from  the  islands 
of  Cape  Verde,  we  sailed  fifty-four  days  without  sight 
of  land,  and  the  first  land  that  we  fell  with  was  the 
coast  of  Brazil,  which  we  saw  the  5th  of  April  in  the 
height  of  thirty-three  degrees  towards  the  Pole  Antarc- 
tic, and  being  discovered  at  sea  by  the  inhabitants  of 


64  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  country,  they  made  upon  the  coast  great  fires  for  a 
sacrifice  (as  we  learned)  to  the  devils,  about  which  they 
use  conjurations,  making  heaps  of  sand  and  other 
ceremonies,  that  when  any  ship  shall  go  about  to  stay 
upon  their  coast,  not  only  sands  may  be  gathered 
together  in  shoals  in  every  place,  but  also  that  storms 
and  tempests  may  arise,  to  the  casting  away  of  ships 
and  men,  whereof  (as  it  is  reported)  there  have  been 
divers  experiments. 

The  seventh  day  in  a  mighty  great  storm  both  of 
lightning,  rain  and  thunder,  we  lost  the  canter  which 
we  called  the  Christopher',  but  the  eleventh  day  after, 
by  our  general's  great  care  in  dispersing  his  ships, 
we  found  her  again,  and  the  place  where  we  met,  our 
general  called  the  Cape  of  Joy,  where  every  ship  took 
in  some  water.  Here  we  found  a  good  temperature 
and  sweet  air,  a  very  fair  and  pleasant  country  with 
an  exceedingly  fruitful  soil,  where  were  great  store  of 
large  and  mighty  deer,  but  we  came  not  to  the  sight 
of  any  people:  but  travelling  further  into  the  country, 
we  perceived  the  footing  of  people  in  the  clay-ground, 
showing  that  they  were  men  of  great  stature.  Being 
returned  to  our  ships,  we  weighed  anchor,  and  ran 
somewhat  further,  and  harboured  ourselves  between  a 
rock  and  the  main,  where  by  means  of  the  rock  that 
broke  the  force  of  the  sea,  we  rid  very  safe,  and  upon 
this  rock  we  killed  for  our  provision  certain  sea-wolves, 
commonly  called  with  us,  seals. 

From  hence  we  went  our  course  to  thirty-six  degrees, 
and  entered  the  great  river  of  Plate,  and  ran  into 
fifty-four,  and  fifty-five  fathoms  and  a  half  of  fresh 
water,  where  we  filled  our  water  by  the  ship's  side; 
but  our  general  finding  here  no  good  harbour,  as  he 
thought  he  should,  bare  out  again  to  sea  the  27th 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  65 

April,  and  in  bearing  out  we  lost  sight  of  our  flyboat 
wherein  Master  Doughty  was,  but  we  sailing  along, 
found  a  fair  and  reasonable  good  bay,  wherein  were 
many,  and  the  same  profitable  islands,  one  whereof 
had  so  many  seals,  as  would  at  the  least  have  laden  all 
our  ships,  and  the  rest  of  the  islands  are  as  it  were  laden 
with  fowls  which  is  wonderful  to  see,  and  they  of  divers 
sorts.  It  is  a  place  very  plentiful  of  victuals,  and  hath 
in  it  no  want  of  fresh  water. 

Our  general  after  certain  days  of  his  abode  in  this 
place,  being  on  shore  in  an  island,  the  people  of  the 
country  showed  themselves  unto  him,  leaping  and 
dancing,  and  entered  into  traffic  with  him,  but  they 
would  not  receive  anything  at  any  man's  hand,  but 
the  same  must  be  cast  upon  the  ground.  They  are  of 
clean,  comely,  and  strong  bodies,  swift  on  foot,  and 
seem  to  be  very  active. 

The  i8th  day  of  May  our  general  thought  it  need- 
ful to  have  a  care  of  such  ships  as  were  absent,  and 
therefore  endeavouring  to  seek  the  fiyboat  wherein 
Master  Doughty  was,  we  espied  her  again  the  next  day ; 
and  whereas  certain  of  our  ships  were  sent  to  discover 
the  coast  and  to  search  an  harbour,  the  Marygold  and 
the  canter  being  employed  in  that  business,  came  unto 
us  and  gave  us  understanding  of  a  safe  harbour  that 
they  had  found,  wherewith  all  our  ships  bare,  and 
entered  it,  where  we  watered  and  made  new  pro\-ision 
of  victuals,  as  by  seals,  whereof  we  slew  to  the  number 
of  two  hundred  or  three  hundred  in  the  space  of  an 
hour. 

Here  our  general  in  the  admiral  rid  close  aboard  the 

flyboat,  and  took  out  of  her  all  the  provision  of  victuals 

and  what  else  was  in  her,  and  hauling  her  to  the  land, 

set  fire  to  her,  and  so  burnt  her  to  save  the  ironwork ; 

c 


66  STORIES   FROM  HAKLUYT 

which  being  a-doing,  there  came  down  of  the  country 
certain  of  the  people  naked,  saving  only  about  their 
waist  the  skin  of  some  beast  with  the  fur  or  hair  on, 
and  something  also  wreathed  on  their  heads:  their 
faces  were  painted  with  divers  colours,  and  some  of 
them  had  on  their  heads  the  simihtude  of  horns,  every 
man  his  bow  which  was  an  ell  in  length,  and  a  couple 
of  arrows. 

They  were  very  agile  people  and  quick  to  deliver, 
and  seemed  not  to  be  ignorant  in  the  feats  of  wars,  as 
by  their  order  of  ranging  a  few  men  might  appear. 
These  people  would  not  of  a  long  time  receive  anything 
at  our  hands;  yet  at  length  our  general  being  ashore, 
and  they  dancing  after  their  accustomed  manner  about 
him,  and  he  once  turning  his  back  towards  them.,  one 
leapt  suddenly  to  him,  and  took  his  cap  \\ith  his  gold 
band  off  his  head,  and  ran  a  little  distance  from  him 
and  shared  it  with  his  fellow,  the  cap  to  the  one  and 
the  band  to  the  other. 

Having  dispatched  all  our  business  in  this  place,  we 
departed  and  set  sail,  and  im.mediately  upon  our 
setting  forth  we  lost  our  canter  which  was  absent  three 
or  four  days ;  but  when  our  general  had  her  again,  he 
took  out  the  necessaries,  and  so  gave  her  over  near  to 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

The  next  day  after  being  the  20th  June  we  harboured 
ourselves  again  in  a  very  good  harbour,  called  by  Ma- 
gellan Port  S.  Julian,  where  we  found  a  gibbet  standing 
upon  the  main,  which  we  supposed  to  be  the  place 
where  Magellan  did  execution  upon  some  of  his 
disobedient   and  rebelhous   company. 

The  22nd  day  our  general  went  ashore  to  the 
main,  and  in  his  company,  John  Thomas,  and  Robert 
Winterhie,  OHver  the  master  gunner,  John  Brewer, 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  67 

Thomas  Hood,  and  Thomas  Drake,  and  entering  on 
land,  they  presently  met  with  two  or  three  of  the 
country  people,  and  Robert  Winterhie  having  in  his 
hands  a  bow  and  arrows,  went  about  to  make  a  shoot 
of  pleasure,  and  in  his  draught  his  bowstring  broke, 
which  the  rude  savages  taking  as  a  token  of  war,  began 
to  bend  the  force  of  their  bows  against  our  company, 
and  drove  them  to  their  shifts  very  narrowly. 

In  this  port  our  general  began  to  enquire  diligently 
of  the  actions  of  M.  Thomas  Doughty,  and  found  them 
not  to  be  of  such  as  he  looked  for,  but  tending  rather 
to  contention  or  mutiny  or  some  other  disorder, 
whereby  (without  redress)  the  success  of  the  voyage 
might  greatly  have  been  hazarded:  whereupon  the 
company  was  called  together  and  made  acquainted 
with  the  particulars  of  the  cause,  which  were  found 
partly  by  Master  Doughty's  own  confession,  and  partly 
by  the  evidence  of  the  fact,  to  be  true:  which  when  our 
general  saw,  although  his  private  affection  to  M. 
Doughty  (as  he  then  in  the  presence  of  us  all  sacredly 
protested)  was  great,  yet  the  care  he  had  of  the  state 
of  the  voyage,  of  the  expectation  of  Her  Majesty,  and 
of  the  honour  of  his  country  did  more  touch  him  (as 
indeed  it  ought)  than  the  private  respect  of  one  man: 
so  that  the  cause  being  thoroughly  heard,  and  all  things 
done  in  good  order  as  near  as  might  be  to  the  course 
of  our  laws  in  England,  it  was  concluded  that  M. 
Doughty  should  receive  punishment  according  to  the 
quality  of  the  offence:  and  he  seeing  no  remedy  but 
patience  for  himself,  desired  before  his  death  to  receive 
the  Communion,  which  he  did  at  the  hands  of  M. 
Fletcher  our  minister,  and  our  general  himself  accom- 
panied him  in  that  holy  action ;  which  being  done,  and 
the  place  of  execution  made  ready,  he  having  embraced 


68  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

our  general  and  taken  his  leave  of  all  the  company,  with 
prayer  for  the  Queen's  Majesty  and  our  realm,  in  quiet 
sort  laid  his  head  to  the  block,  where  he  ended  his  life. 
This  being  done,  our  general  made  divers  speeches  to 
the  whole  company,  persuading  us  to  unity,  obedience, 
love,  and  regard  of  our  voyage;  and  for  the  better 
confirmation  thereof,  willed  every  man  the  next 
Sunday  following  to  prepare  himself  to  receive  the 
Communion,  as  Christian  brethren  and  friends  ought 
to  do,  which  was  done  in  very  reverent  sort,  and  so 
with  good  contentment  every  man  went  about  his 
business. 

The  17th  day  of  August  we  departed  the  port  of  S. 
Julian,  and  the  20th  day  we  fell  with  the  Strait  or 
Freat  of  Magellan  going  into  the  South  Sea,  at  the  cape 
or  headland  whereof  we  found  the  body  of  a  dead  man, 
whose  flesh  was  clean  consumed. 

The  2ist  day  we  entered  the  Strait,  which  we  found 
to  have  man}^  turnings,  and  as  it  were  shuttings  up,  as 
if  there  were  no  passage  at  all,  by  means  whereof  we 
had  the  wind  often  against  us,  so  that  some  of  the  fleet 
recovering  a  cape  or  point  of  land,  others  should  be 
forced  to  turn  back  again,  and  to  come  to  an  anchor 
where  they  could. 

In  this  strait  there  be  many  fair  harbours,  with  store 
of  fresh  water,  but  yet  they  lack  their  best  commocUty ; 
for  the  water  is  there  of  such  depth  that  no  man  shall 
find  ground  to  anchor  in,  except  it  be  in  some  narrow 
river  or  corner,  or  between  some  rocks,  so  that  if  any 
extreme  blasts  or  contrary  winds  do  come  (whereunto 
the  place  is  much  subject)  it  carrieth  with  it  no  small 
danger. 

The  land  on  both  sides  is  very  huge  and  mountainous, 
the  lower  mountains  whereof,  although  they  be  mon- 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  69 

strous  and  wonderful  to  look  upon  for  their  height, 
yet  there  are  others  which  in  height  exceed  them  in  a 
strange  manner,  reaching  themselves  above  their 
fellows  so  high,  that  between  them  did  appear  three 
regions  of  clouds. 

These  mountains  are  covered  with  snow:  at  both  the 
southerly  and  easterly  parts  of  the  Strait  are  islands, 
among  which  the  sea  hath  his  indraught  into  the 
Straits,  even  as  it  hath  in  the  main  entrance  of  the 
Freat. 

This  strait  is  extremely  cold,  with  frost  and  snow 
continually;  the  trees  seem  to  stoop  with  the  burden 
of  the  weather,  and  yet  are  green  continually,  and 
many  good  and  sweet  herbs  do  very  plentifulh'  grow 
and  increase  under  them. 

The  breadth  of  the  Strait  is  in  some  places  a  league, 
in  some  other  places  two  leagues,  and  three  leagues, 
and  in  some  other  four  leagues,  but  the  narrowest 
place  hath  a  league  over. 

The  24th  of  August  we  arrived  at  an  island  in  the 
Straits  where  we  found  great  store  of  fowl  which  could 
not  fly;  of  the  bigness  of  geese,  whereof  we  killed 
in  less  than  one  day  three  thousand  and  victualled 
ourselves  thoroughly  therewith. 

The  6th  day  of  September  we  entered  the  South 
Sea  at  the  cape  or  head  shore. 

The  seventh  day  we  were  driven  by  a  great  storm 
from  the  entering  into  the  South  Sea  two  hundred 
leagues  and  odd  in  longitude,  and  one  degree  to  the 
southward  of  the  Strait:  in  which  height,  and  so 
man\-  leagues  to  the  westward,  the  15th  day  of  Sept- 
ember fell  out  the  eclipse  of  the  moon  at  the  hour  of 
six  of  the  clock  at  night ;  but  neither  did  the  ecliptical 
conflict  of  the  moon  impair  our  state,  nor  her  clearing 


70  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

again  amend  us  a  whit,  but  the  accustomed  eclipse 
of  the  sea  continued  in  his  force,  we  being  darkened 
more  than  the  moon  sevenfold. 

From  the  bay  (which  we  called  the  Bay  of  Severing 
of  Friends)  we  were  driven  back  to  the  southward  of 
the  Straits  in  fifty-seven  degrees  and  a  terce ;  in  which 
height  we  came  to  an  anchor  among  the  islands,  having 
there  fresh  and  very  good  water,  with  herbs  of  singu- 
lar virtue.  Not  far  from  thence  we  entered  another 
bay,  where  we  found  people,  both  men  and  women,  in 
their  canoes,  naked,  and  ranging  from  one  island  to 
another  to  seek  their  meat,  who  entered  traffic  with 
us  for  such  things  as  they  had. 

We  returning  hence  northward  again,  found  the 
3rd  of  October  three  islands,  in  one  of  which  was 
such  plent}^  of  birds  as  is  scant  credible  to  report. 

The  8th  day  of  October  we  lost, sight  of  one  of  our 
consorts  wherein  M.  Winter  was,  who  as  then  we 
supposed,  was  put  by  a  storm  into  the  Straits  again, 
which  at  our  return  home  we  found  to  be  true,  and 
he  not  perished  as  some  of  our  company  feared. 

Thus  being  come  into  the  height  of  the  Straits  again, 
we  ran,  supposing  the  coast  of  Chili  to  lie  as  the  general 
maps  have  described  it,  namely  north-west,  which  we 
found  to  lie  and  trend  to  the  north-east  and  eastwards, 
whereby  it  appeareth  that  this  part  of  Chili  hath  not 
been  truly  hitherto  discovered,  or,  at  the  least,  not 
truly  reported  for  the  space  of  twelve  degrees  at  the 
least,  being  set  down  either  of  purpose  to  deceive  or 
of  ignorant  conjecture. 

We,  continuing  our  course,  fell  the  29th  of  Novem- 
ber with  an  island  called  La  Mocha,  where  we  cast 
anchor,  and  our  general  hoisting  out  our  boat,  went 
with  ten  of  our  company  to  shore,  where  we  found 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  71 

people  whom  the  cruel  and  extreme  dealings  of  the 
Spaniards  have  forced  for  their  own  safety  and  liberty 
to  flee  from  the  main,  and  to  fortify  themselves  in 
this  island.  We  being  on  land,  the  people  came  down 
to  us  to  the  water-side  with  show  of  great  courtesy, 
bringing  to  us  potatoes,  roots  and  two  ver\'  fat  sheep, 
which  our  general  received  and  gave  them  other 
things  for  them,  and  had  promise  to  have  water  there: 
but  the  next  day  repairing  again  to  the  shore  and 
sending  two  men  a-land  with  barrels  to  fill  water,  the 
people  taking  them  for  Spaniards  (to  whom  they  used 
to  show  no  favour  if  they  take  them)  laid  violent 
hands  on  them,  and,  as  we  think,  slew  them. 

Our  general  seeing  this,  stayed  here  no  longer,  but 
weighed  anchor  and  set  sail  towards  the  coast  of  Chili, 
and  drawing  towards  it  wc  met  near  to  the  shore,  an 
Indian  in  a  canoe,  who,  thinking  us  to  have  been 
Spaniards,  came  to  us  and  told  us  that  at  a  place  caUed 
S.  lago  there  was  a  great  Spanish  ship  laden  from  the 
kingdom  of  Peru;  for  which  good  news  our  general 
gave  him  divers  trifles,  whereof  he  was  glad,  and 
went  along  with  us  and  brought  us  to  the  place,  which 
is  called  the  Port  of  Valparaiso. 

When  we  came  thither,  we  found,  indeed,  the  ship 
riding  at  anchor,  ha\4ng  in  her  eight  Spaniards  and 
three  negroes,  who,  thinking  us  to  have  been  Spaniards 
and  their  friends,  welcomed  us  with  a  drum,  and  made 
ready  a  hottija  of  wine  of  Chili  to  drink  to  us ;  but  as 
soon  as  we  were  entered,  one  of  our  company,  called 
Thomas  Moone,  began  to  lay  about  him,  and  strack 
one  of  the  Spaniards  and  said  unto  him,  "  Abaxo, 
perro,"  that  is  in  English,  "  Go  down,  dog!  "  One 
of  these  Spaniards,  seeing  persons  of  that  quality  in 
those  seas,  all-to  crossed,  and   blessed   himself;    but. 


72  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

to  be  short,  we  stowed  them  under  hatches,  all  save 
one  Spaniard,  who  suddenly  and  desperately  leapt 
overboard  into  the  sea,  and  swam  ashore  to  the  town 
of  S.  lago,  to  give  them  warning  of  our  arrival. 

They  of  the  town  being  not  above  nine  households, 
presently  fled  away  and  abandoned  the  town.  Our 
general  manned  his  boat  and  the  Spanish  ship's  boat, 
and  went  to  the  town;  and  being  come  to  it,  we 
rifled  it,  and  came  to  a  small  chapel,  which  we  entered, 
and  found  therein  a  silver  chalice,  two  cruets  and 
one  altar  cloth,  the  spoil  whereof  our  general  gave  to 
M.  Fletcher,  his  minister. 

We  found  also  in  this  town  a  warehouse  stored  with 
wine  of  Chili,  and  many  boards  of  cedar  wood,  all 
which  wine  we  brought  away  with  us  and  certain  of 
the  boards  to  bum  for  firewood:  and  so  being  come 
aboard,  we  departed  the  haven,  having  first  set  all 
the  Spaniards  on  land,  saving  one  John  Griego,  a 
Greek  bom,  whom  our  general  carried  with  him  for 
his  pilot  to  bring  him  into  the  haven  of  Lima. 

When  we  were  at  sea,  our  general  rifled  the  ship, 
and  found  in  her  good  store  of  the  wine  of  Chili,  and 
25,000  pezoes  of  very  pure  and  fine  gold  of  Baldivia, 
amounting  in  value  to  37,000  ducats  of  Spanish  money 
and  above.  So,  going  on  our  course,  we  arrived  next 
at  a  place  called  Coquimbo,  where  our  general  sent 
fourteen  of  his  men  on  land  to  fetch  water;  but  they 
were  espied  by  the  Spaniards,  who  came  with  three 
hundred  horsemen  and  two  hundred  footmen  and 
slew  one  of  our  men  with  a  piece.  The  rest  came 
aboard  in  safety,  and  the  Spaniards  departed;  we 
went  on  shore  again  and  buried  our  man,  and  the 
Spaniards  came  down  again  with  a  flag  of  tmce,  but 
we  set  sail  and  would  not  tmst  them. 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  73 

From  hence  we  went  to  a  certain  port  called  Tara- 
paza,  where  being  landed,  we  found  by  the  seaside  a 
Spaniard  lying  asleep,  who  had  lying  by  him  thirteen 
bars  of  silver,  which  weighed  4,000  ducats  Spanish. 
We  took  the  silver  and  left  the  man. 

Not  far  from  hence,  going  on  land  for  fresh  water, 
we  met  with  a  Spaniard  and  an  Indian  boy,  driving 
eight  llamas  or  sheep  of  Peru,  which  are  as  big  as 
asses,  every  of  which  sheep  had  on  his  back  two  bags 
of  leather,  each  bag  containing  fifty  pound  weight 
of  fine  silver,  so  that  bringing  both  the  sheep  and 
their  burden  to  the  ships,  we  found  in  all  the  bags 
eight  hundredweight  of  silver. 

Here-hence  we  sailed  to  a  place  called  Arica,  and 
being  entered  the  port,  we  found  there  three  small 
barques  which  we  rifled,  and  found  in  one  of  them  fifty- 
seven  wedges  of  silver,  each  of  them  weighing  about 
twenty  pound  weight  and  every  of  these  wedges  were 
of  the  fashion  and  bigness  of  a  brickbat.  In  all  these 
three  barques  we  found  not  one  person:  for  they, 
miistrusting  no  strangers,  were  all  gone  a-land  to  the 
town,  which  consisteth  of  about  twenty  houses,  which 
we  would  have  ransacked  if  our  company  had  been 
better  and  more  in  number.  But  our  general,  contented 
with  the  spoil  of  the  ships,  left  the  to\\Ti  and  put  off 
again  to  sea  and  set  sail  for  Lima,  and  by  the  way 
met  with  a  small  barque  which  he  boarded  and  found 
in  her  good  store  of  Imen-cloth,  whereof  taking  some 
quantity  he  let  her  go. 

To  Lima  we  came  the  13th  of  February,  and  being 
entered  the  haven,  we  found  there  about  twelve  sail 
of  ships  lying  fast  moored  at  anchor,  having  all  tlieir 
sails  carried  on  shore:  for  the  masters  and  merchants 
were  here  most  secure,  having  never  been  assaulted 


74  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

by  enemies,  and  at  this  time  feared  the  approach  of 
none  such  as  we  were.  Our  general  rifled  these  ships 
and  found  in  one  of  them  a  chest  full  of  royals  of 
plate  and  good  store  of  silks  and  linen-cloth,  and 
took  the  chest  into  his  own  ship  and  good  store  of  the 
silks  and  linen,  in  which  ship  he  had  news  of  another 
ship  called  the  Cacafuego,  which  was  gone  towards 
Paita,  and  that  the  same  ship  was  laden  with  treasure: 
whereupon  we  stayed  no  longer  here,  but,  cutting  all 
the  cables  of  the  ships  in  the  haven,  we  let  them 
drive  whither  they  would,  either  to  sea  or  to  the 
shore,  and  with  all  speed  we  followed  the  Cacafuego 
toward  Paita,  thinking  there  to  have  found  her;  but 
before  we  arrived  there  she  was  gone  from  thence 
towards  Panama,  whom  our  general  still  pursued,  and 
by  the  way  met  with  a  barque  laden  with  ropes  and 
tackle  for  ships,  which  he  boarded  and  searched,  and 
found  in  her  eighty  pound  weight  of  gold  and  a  cruci- 
fix of  gold  with  goodly  great  emeralds  set  in  it,  which 
he  took,  and  some  of  the  cordage  also  for  his  own  ship. 
From  hence  we  departed,  still  following  the  Caca- 
fuego, and  our  general  promised  our  company  that 
whosoever  could  first  descry  her  should  have  his  chain 
of  gold  for  his  good  news.  It  fortuned  that  John 
Drake,  going  up  into  the  top,  descried  her  about  three 
of  the  clock,  and  about  six  of  the  clock  we  came  to  her 
and  boarded  her  and  shot  at  her  three  pieces  of 
ordinance  and  struck  down  her  niizzen,  and  being 
entered  we  found  in  her  great  riches,  as  jewels  and 
precious  stones,  thirteen  chests  full  of  royals  of  plate, 
four-score  pound  weight  of  gold,  and  six-and-twenty 
ton  of  silver.  The  place  where  we  took  this  prize  was 
called  Cape  de  San  Francisco,  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  leagues  from  Panama. 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  75 

The  pilot's  name  of  this  ship  was  Francisco,  and 
amongst  other  plate  that  our  general  found  in  this 
ship  he  found  two  very  fair  gilt  bowls  of  silver,  which 
were  the  pilot's:  to  whom  our  general  said:  "  Sefior 
Pilot,  you  have  here  two  silver  cups,  but  I  must  needs 
have  one  of  them,"  which  the  pilot  because  he  could 
not  otherwise  choose,  yielded  unto,  and  gave  the  other 
to  the  steward  of  our  general's  ships. 

When  our  general  had  done  what  he  would  with 
this  Cacaftiego,  he  cast  her  off,  and  we  went  on  our 
course  still  towards  the  west,  and  not  long  after  met 
with  a  ship  laden  with  linen  cloth  and  fine  china- 
dishes  of  white  earth,  and  great  store  of  China  silks, 
of  all  which  things  we  took  as  we  listed. 

The  owner  himself  of  this  ship  was  in  her,  who 
was  a  Spanish  gentleman,  from  whom  our  general 
took  a  falcon  of  gold,  with  a  great  emerald  in  the 
breast  thereof,  and  the  pilot  of  the  ship  he  took  also 
with  him,  and  so  cast  the  ship  off. 

This  pilot  brought  us  to  the  haven  of  Guatulco,  the 
town  whereof,  as  he  told  us,  had  but  seventeen 
Spaniards  in  it.  As  soon  as  we  were  entered  this  haven, 
we  landed  and  went  presently  to  the  town,  and  to  the 
town-house,  \\here  we  found  a  judge  sitting  in  judg- 
ment, being  associate  with  three  other  officers,  upon 
three  negroes  that  had  conspired  the  burning  of  the 
town:  both  which  judges  and  prisoners  we  took,  and 
brought  them  a-shipboard  and  caused  the  chief  judge 
to  write  his  letter  to  the  town,  to  command  all  the 
townsmen  to  avoid,  that  we  might  safely  water  there. 
Which  being  done,  and  they  departed,  we  ransacked 
the  town,  and  in  one  house  we  found  a  pot  of  the 
quantity  of  a  bushel,  full  of  royals  of  plate,  which  we 
brought  to  our  ship. 


76  STORIES   FROM  HAKLUYT 

And  here  one,  Thomas  Moone,  one  of  our  company, 
took  a  Spanish  gentleman  as  he  was  flying  out  of  the 
town,  and  searching  him,  he  found  a  chain  of  gold 
about  him,  and  other  jewels,  which  he  took,  and  so 
let  him  go. 

At  this  place  our  general,  among  other  Spaniards, 
set  ashore  his  Portugal  pilot,  which  he  took  at  the 
islands  of  Cape  Verde,  out  of  a  ship  of  S.  Mar^^  Port 
of  Portugal:  and  having  set  them  ashore,  we  departed 
hence,  and  sailed  to  the  island  of  Canno,  where  our 
general  landed,  and  brought  to  shore  his  own  ship, 
and  discharged  her,  mended  and  graved  her,  and 
furnished  our  ship  mth  water  and  wood  sufficiently. 

And  while  we  were  here,  we  espied  a  ship,  and  set 
sail  after  her,  and  took  her,  and  found  in  her  two  pilots 
and  a  Spanish  governor,  going  for  the  islands  of  the 
Philippines:  we  searched  the  ship,  and  took  some  of 
her  merchandises,  and  so  let  her  go.  Our  general  at 
this  place  and  time,  thinking  himself  both  in  respect 
of  his  private  injuries  received  from  the  Spaniards,  as 
also  of  their  contempts  and  indignities  offered  to  our 
country  and  prince  in  general,  sufticiently  satisfied,  and 
revenged:  and  supposing  that  Her  Majesty  at  his 
return  would  rest  contented  \\dth  this  service,  purposed 
to  continue  no  longer  upon  the  Spanish  coasts,  but 
began  to  consider  and  to  consult  of  the  best  way  for 
his  country. 

He  thought  it  not  good  to  return  by  the  Straits, 
for  two  special  causes:  the  one,  lest  the  Spaniards 
should  there  wait,  and  attend  for  him  in  great  number 
and  strength,  whose  hands,  he  being  left  but  one  ship, 
could  not  possibly  escape.  The  other  cause  was  the 
dangerous  situation  of  the  mouth  of  the  Straits  in  the 
South  Sea,  where  continual  storms  reigning  and  blus- 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  ^^ 

tering,  as  he  found  by  experience,  besides  the  shoals 
and  sands  upon  the  coast,  he  thought  it  not  a  good 
course  to  adventure  that  way:  he  resolved  therefore 
to  avoid  these  hazards,  to  go  forward  to  the  islands 
of  the  Moluccas,  and  there-hence  to  sail  the  course  of 
the  Portugals  by  the  Cape  of  Buena  Esperanza. 

Upon  this  resolution,  he  began  to  think  of  the  best 
way  to  the  Moluccas,  and  finding  himself  where  he  now 
was  becalmed,  he  saw  that  of  necessity  he  must  be 
forced  to  take  a  Spanish  course,  namely,  to  sail  some- 
what northerly  to  get  a  wind.  We  therefore  set  sail, 
and  sailed  six  hundred  leagues  at  the  least  for  a  good 
wind,  and  thus  much  we  sailed  from  the  i6th  of  April 
till  the  3rd  of  June. 

The  5th  day  of  June,  being  in  43  degrees  towards 
the  Pole  Arctic,  we  found  the  air  so  cold,  that  our  men 
being  grievously  pinched  with  the  same,  complained 
of  the  extremity  thereof,  and  the  further  we  went,  the 
more  the  cold  increased  upon  us.  Wliereupon  we 
thought  it  best  for  that  time  to  seek  the  land,  and  did 
so,  finding  it  not  mountainous,  but  low  plain  land,  till 
we  came  \vithin  38  degrees  towards  the  Line.  In  which 
height  it  pleased  God  to  send  us  into  a  fair  and  good 
bay,  with  a  good  wind  to  enter  the  same. 

in  this  bay  we  anchored,  and  the  people  of  the 
country  having  their  houses  close  by  the  water's  side, 
showed  themselves  unto  us,  and  sent  a  present  to  our 
general. 

When  they  came  unto  us,  they  greatly  wondered 
at  the  things  that  we  brought,  but  our  general  (ac- 
cording to  his  natural  and  accustomed  humanity) 
courteously  entreated  them,  and  liberally  bestowed 
on  them  necessary  things  to  cover  their  nakedness, 
whereupon  they  supposed  us  to  be  gods,  and  would  not 


78  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

be  persuaded  to  the  contrary ;   the  presents  which  they 
sent  to  our  general  were  feathers  and  calles  of  network. 

Their  houses  are  digged  round  about  with  earth, 
and  have  from  the  uttermost  brims  of  the  circle, 
clefts  of  wood  set  upon  them,  joining  close  together  at 
the  top  like  a  spire  steeple,  which  by  reason  of  that 
closeness  are  very  warm. 

Their  bed  is  the  ground  with  rushes  strowed  on  it, 
and  lying  about  the  house,  have  the  fire  in  the  midst. 
The  men  go  naked,  the  women  take  bulrushes,  and 
comb  them  after  the  manner  of  hemp,  and  thereof 
make  their  loose  garments,  which  being  knit  about 
their  middles,  hang  down  about  their  hips,  having 
also  about  their  shoulders  a  skin  of  deer,  with  the  hair 
upon  it.  These  women  are  very  obedient  and  ser\dceable 
to  their  husbands. 

After  they  were  departed  from  us,  they  came  and 
visited  us  the  second  time,  and  brought  with  them 
feathers  and  bags  of  tobacco  for  presents:  and  when 
they  came  to  the  top  of  the  hill  (at  the  bottom  whereof 
we  had  pitched  our  tents)  they  stayed  themselves: 
where  one  appointed  for  speaker  wearied  himself  with 
making  a  long  oration,  which  done,  they  left  their 
bows  upon  the  hill,  and  came  down  with  their  presents. 

In  the  meantime,  the  women  remaining  on  the  hill 
tormented  themselves  lamentably,  tearing  their  flesh 
from  their  cheeks,  whereby  we  perceived  that  the}^ 
were  about  a  sacrifice.  In  the  meantime,  our  general 
with  his  company  went  to  prayer,  and  to  reading  of 
the  Scriptures,  at  which  exercise  they  were  attentive, 
and  seemed  greatly  to  be  affected  with  it:  but  when 
they  were  come  unto  us,  they  restored  again  unto  us 
those  things  which  before  we  bestowed  upon  them. 

The  news  of  our  being  there  being  spread  through  the 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  79 

country,  the  people  that  inhabited  round  came  down, 
and  amongst  them  the  king  himself,  a  man  of  a  goodly 
stature,  and  comely  personage,  with  many  other  tall 
and  warlike  men:  before  whose  coming  were  sent  two 
ambassadors  to  our  general,  to  signify  that  their  king 
was  coming,  in  doing  of  which  message,  their  speech 
was  continued  about  half  an  hour.  This  ended,  they 
by  signs  requested  our  general  to  send  some  thing  by 
their  hands  to  their  king,  as  a  token  that  his  coming 
might  be  in  peace :  wherein  our  general  having  satisfied 
them,  they  returned  with  glad  tidings  to  their  king, 
who  marched  to  us  with  a  princeh-  majesty,  the  people 
cr\'ing  continually  after  their  m.anner,  and  as  they 
drew  near  unto  us,  so  did  they  strive  to  behave  them- 
selves in  their  actions  with  comeliness. 

In  the  forefront  was  a  man  of  a  goodly  personage, 
who  bare  the  sceptre  or  mace  before  the  king,  where- 
upon hanged  two  crowois,  a  lesser  and  a  bigger,  with 
three  chains  of  a  marvellous  length:  the  crowns  were 
made  of  knit-work  wrought  artificially  with  feathers 
of  divers  colours:  the  chains  were  made  of  a  bony 
substance,  and  few  be  the  persons  among  them  that 
are  admitted  to  wear  them:  and  of  that  number  also 
the  persons  are  stinted,  as  some  ten,  some  twelve,  etc. 
Next  unto  him  which  bare  the  sceptre  was  the  king 
himself,  with  his  guard  about  his  person,  clad  with 
coney  skins,  and  other  skins:  after  them  followed 
the  naked  common  sort  of  people,  ever\'  one  having 
his  face  painted,  some  with  white,  some  with  black, 
and  other  colours,  and  having  in  their  hands  one  thing 
or  another  for  a  present ;  not  so  much  as  their  children, 
but  they  also  brought  their  presents. 

In  the  meantime,  our  general  gathered  his  men 
together,  and  marched  within  his  fenced  place,  making 


8o  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

against  their  approaching  a  very  war-hke  show.  They 
being  trooped  together  in  their  order,  and  a  general 
salutation  being  made,  there  was  presently  a  general 
silence.  Then  he  that  bare  the  sceptre  before  the  king 
being  informed  by  another  whom  they  assigned  to  that 
office,  with  a  manly  and  lofty  voice  proclaimed  that 
which  the  other  spake  to  him  in  secret,  continuing  half 
an  hour;  which  ended,  and  a  general  "  Amen  "  as  it 
were  given,  the  king  with  the  whole  number  of  men 
and  women  (the  children  excepted)  came  down  without 
any  weapon,  who  descending  to  the  foot  of  the  hill, 
set  themselves  in  order. 

In  coming  towards  our  bulwarks  and  tents,  the 
sceptre-bearer  began  a  song,  observing  his  measures 
in  a  dance,  and  that  with  a  stately  countenance,  whom 
the  king  with  his  guard,  and  every  degree  of  persons 
following,  did  in  like  manner  sing  and  dance,  saving 
only  the  women,  which  danced  and  kept  silence.  The 
general  permitted  them  to  enter  within  our  bulwark, 
where  they  continued  their  song  and  dance  a  reasonable 
time.  When  they  had  satisfied  themselves,  they  made 
signs  to  our  general  to  sit  down,  to  whom  the  king 
and  divers  others  made  several  orations,  or  rather 
supplications,  that  he  would  take  their  province  and 
kingdom  into  his  hand,  and  become  their  king,  making 
signs  that  they  would  resign  unto  him  their  right  and 
title  of  the  whole  land,  and  become  his  subjects.  In 
which,  to  persuade  us  the  better,  the  king  and  the  rest, 
with  one  consent,  and  with  great  reverence,  joyfully 
singing  a  song,  did  set  the  crown  upon  his  head,  en- 
riched his  neck  with  all  their  chains,  and  offered  unto 
him  many  other  things,  honouring  him  by  the  name  of 
Hioh,  adding  thereunto  as  it  seemed,  a  sign  of  triumph: 
which  thing  our  general  thought  not  meet  to  reject, 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  8i 

because  he  knew  not  what  honour  and  profit  it  might 
be  to  our  country.  Wlierefore  in  the  name,  and  to  the 
use  of  Her  Majesty  he  took  the  sceptre,  crown,  and 
dignity  of  the  said  country  into  his  hands,  wishing  that 
the  riches  and  treasure  thereof  might  so  conveniently 
be  transported  to  the  enriching  of  her  kingdom  at 
home,  as  it  aboundeth  in  the  same. 

The  common  sort  of  people  leaving  the  king  and  his 
guard  with  our  general,  scattered  themselves  together 
with  their  sacrifices  among  our  people,  taking  a 
diligent  view  of  every  person:  and  such  as  pleased 
their  fancy  (which  were  the  youngest)  they  enclosing 
them  about  offered  their  sacrifices  unto  them  with 
lamentable  weeping,  scratching  and  tearing  the  flesh 
from  their  faces  with  their  nails,  whereof  issued  abund- 
ance of  blood.  But  we  used  signs  to  them  of  disliking 
this,  and  stayed  their  hands  from  force,  and  directed 
them  upwards  to  the  living  God,  whom  only  they 
ought  to  worship.  They  showed  unto  us  their  wounds, 
and  craved  help  of  them  at  our  hands,  whereupon  we 
gave  them  lotions,  plasters  and  ointments,  agreeing 
to  the  state  of  their  griefs,  beseeching  God  to  cure  their 
diseases.  Ever\^  third  day  they  brought  their  sacrifices 
unto  us,  until  they  understood  our  meaning,  that  we 
had  no  pleasure  in  them:  yet  they  could  not  be  long 
absent  from  us,  but  daily  frequented  our  company  to 
the  hour  of  our  departure,  which  departure  seemed  so 
grievous  unto  them,  that  their  jo\^  was  turned  into 
sorrow.  They  entreated  us,  that  being  absent  we 
would  remember  them,  and  by  stealth  provided  a 
sacrifice,   which  we   misliked. 

Our  necessary  business  being  ended,  our  general 
with  his  company  travelled  up  into  the  countrs'  to 
their  villages,  where  we   found   herds   of  deer  by  a 


82  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

thousand  in  a  company',  being  most  large  and  fat  of 
body. 

We  found  the  whole  country  to  be  a  warren  of  a 
strange  kind  of  conies,  their  bodies  in  bigness  as  be 
the  Barbary  conies,  their  heads  as  the  heads  of  ours, 
the  feet  of  a  want,  and  the  tail  of  a  rat  being  of  great 
length:  under  her  chin  is  on  either  side  a  bag,  into 
the  which  she  gathered  her  meat,  when  she  hath 
filled  her  belly  abroad.  The  people  eat  their  bodies, 
and  make  great  account  of  their  skins,  for  their  king's 
coat  was  made  of  them. 

Our  general  called  this  country  Nova  Albion,  and 
that  for  two  causes:  the  one  in  respect  of  the  white 
banks  and  cliffs,  which  lie  towards  the  sea:  and  the 
other,  because  it  might  have  some  affinity  ^vith  our 
£ountr\^  in  name,  which  sometime  was  so  called. 

There  is  no  part  of  earth  here  to  be  taken  up,  wherein 
there  is  not  some  probable  show  of  gold  or  silver. 

At  our  departure  hence  our  general  set  up  a  monu- 
ment of  our  being  there,  as  also  of  Her  Majesty's  right 
and  title  to  the  same,  namely,  a  plate,  nailed  upon  a 
fair  great  post,  whereupon  was  engraven  Her  Majest37's 
name,  the  day  and  year  of  our  arrival  there,  with  the 
free  giving  up  of  the  province  and  people  into  Her 
Majesty's  hands,  together  with  Her  Highness'  picture 
and  arms,  in  a  piece  of  sixpence  of  current  English 
money  under  the  plate,  whereunder  was  also  written 
"the  name  of  our  general. 

It  seemeth  that  the  Spaniards  hitherto  have  never 
been  in  this  part  of  the  country,  neither  did  ever 
discover  the  land  by  many  degrees,  to  the  southwards 
of  this  place. 

After  we  had  set   sail  from  hence,   we  continued 
Want.  West-country  name  for  a  mole. 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  83 

without  sight  of  land  till  the  13th  day  of  October 
following,  which  day  in  the  morning  we  fell  with 
certain  islands  8  degrees  to  the  northward  of  the  Line, 
from  which  islands  came  a  great  number  of  canoes, 
having  in  some  of  them  four,  in  some  six,  and  in  some 
also  fourteen,  men.  bringing  with  them  cocos,  and 
other  fruits.  Their  canoes  were  hollow  within,  and 
cut  with  great  art  and  cunning,  being  \'ery  smooth 
within  and  without,  and  bearing  a  glass  as  if  it  were 
a  horn  daintily  burnished,  having  a  prow,  and  a  stern 
of  one  sort,  yielding  inward  circle- wise,  being  of  a 
great  height,  and  full  of  certain  white  shells  for  a 
bravery,  and  on  each  side  of  them  lie  out  two  pieces 
of  timber  about  a  yard  and  a  half  long,  more  or  less, 
according  to  the  smallness  or  bigness  of  the  boat. 

This  people  have  the  nether  part  of  their  ears  cut 
into  a  round  circle,  hanging  do\^-n  very  low  upon  their 
cheeks,  whereon  they  hang  things  of  a  reasonable 
weight.  The  nails  of  their  hands  are  an  inch  long, 
their  teeth  are  as  black  as  pitch,  and  they  renew  them 
often,  by  eating  of  an  herb  with  a  kind  of  powder, 
which  they  always  carry  about  them  in  a  cane  for  the 
same  purpose. 

Leaving  this  island  the  night  after  we  fell  with  it, 
the  i8th  of  October,  we  lighted  upon  divers  others, 
some  whereof  made  a  great  show  of  inhabitants. 

We  continued  our  course  by  the  islands  of  Tagulada, 
Zelon,  and  Zewarra,  being  friends  to  the  Portugals, 
the  first  whereof  hath  growing  in  it  great  store  of 
cinnamon. 

The  14th  of  November  we  fell  with  the  islands  of 
Molucca,  which  day  at  night  (having  directed  our 
course  to  run  with  Tidore)  in  coasting  alone:  the 
island  of  Mutyr,  belonging  to  the  King  of  Ternate, 


84  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

his  deputy  or  vice-king  seeing  us  at  sea,  came  with 
his  canoe  to  us  without  all  fear,  and  came  aboard, 
and  after  some  conference  with  our  general,  willed 
him  in  any  wise  to  run  in  with  Ternate,  and  not  with 
Tidore,  assuring  him  that  the  king  would  be  glad  of 
his  coming,  and  would  be  ready  to  do  what  he  would 
require,  for  which  purpose  he  himself  would  that 
night  be  with  the  king,  and  tell  him  the  news,  with 
whom  if  he  once  dealt,  he  should  find  that  as  he  was 
a  king,  so  his  word  should  stand:  adding  further, 
that  if  he  went  to  Tidore  before  he  came  to  Ternate, 
the  king  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  us,  because 
he  held  Portugal  as  his  enemy ;  whereupon  our  general 
resolved  to  run  with  Ternate,  where  the  next  morning 
early  we  came  to  anchor,  at  which  time  our  general 
sent  a  messenger  to  the  king  with  a  velvet  cloak  for 
a  present,  and  token  of  his  coming  to  be  in  peace,  and 
that  he  required  nothing  but  traffic  and  exchange  of 
merchandise,  whereof  he  had  good  store  in  such  things 
as  he  wanted. 

In  the  meantime,  the  vice-king  had  been  with  the 
king  according  to  his  promise,  signifying  unto  him 
what  good  things  he  might  receive  from  us  by  traffic ; 
whereby  the  king  was  moved  with  great  liking  towards 
us,  and  sent  to  our  general  with  special  message, 
that  he  should  have  what  things  he  needed,  and  would 
require  with  peace  and  friendship,  and  moreover, 
that  he  would  yield  himself,  and  the  right  of  his  island 
to  be  at  the  pleasure  and  commandment  of  so  famous 
a  prince  as  we  served.  In  token  whereof  he  sent  to 
our  general  a  signet,  and  within  short  time  after  came 
in  his  own  person,  with  boats  and  canoes  to  OTir  ship, 
to  bring  her  into  a  better  and  safer  road  than  she  was 
In  at  present. 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  85 

In  the  meantime,  our  general's  messenger  being 
come  to  the  court,  was  met  by  certain  noble  per- 
sonages with  great  solemnity,  and  brought  to  the 
king,  at  whose  hands  he  was  most  friendly  and 
graciously  entertained. 

The  king  purposing  to  come  to  our  ship,  sent  before 
four  great  and  large  canoes,  in  every  one  whereof 
were  certain  of  his  greatest  states  that  were  about 
him,  attired  in  white  lawn  of  cloth  of  Calicut,  having 
over  their  heads  from  the  one  end  of  the  canoe  to  the 
other,  a  covering  of  thin,  perfumed  mats,  borne  up 
with  a  frame  made  of  reeds  for  the  same  use,  under 
which  everyone  did  sit  in  his  order  according  to  his 
dignity,  to  keep  him  from  the  heat  of  the  sun,  divers 
of  \\hom  being  of  good  age  and  gravity,  did  make  an 
ancient  and  fatherly  show.  There  were  also  divers 
young  and  comely  men  attired  in  white,  as  were  the 
others:  the  rest  were  soldiers,  which  stood  in  comely 
order  round  about  on  both  sides,  without  whom  sat 
the  rowers  in  certain  galleries,  which  being  three  on  a 
side  all  along  the  canoes,  did  lie  off  from  the  side 
thereof  three  or  four  yards,  one  being  orderly  builded 
lower  than  another,  in  every  of  which  galleries  were 
the  number  of  four-score  rowers. 

These  canoes  were  furnished  with  warlike  munition, 
every  man  for  the  most  part  having  his  sword  and 
target,  with  his  dagger,  beside  other  weapons,  as 
lances,  calivers,  darts,  bows  and  arrows:  also  every 
canoe  had  a  small  cast  base  moimted  at  the  least  one 
full  yard  upon  a  stock  set  upright. 

Thus  coming  near  our  ship,  in  order  they  rowed 
about  us,  one  after  another,  and  passing  by,  did  their 
homage  with  great  solemnity,  the  great  personages  be- 
ginning with  great  gravity  and  fatherly  countenances, 


86  STORIES  FROM   HAKLUYT 

signifying  that  the  king  had  sent  them  to  conduct 
our  ship  into  a  better  road. 

Soon  after  the  king  himself  repaired,  accompanied 
with  six  grave  and  ancient  persons,  who  did  their 
obeisance  with  marvellous  humility.  The  king  was 
a  man  of  tall  stature,  and  seemed  to  be  much  de- 
lighted with  the  sound  of  our  music,  to  whom  as  also 
to  his  nobility,  our  general  gave  presents,  wherewith 
they  were  passing  well  contented. 

At  length  the  king  craved  leave  of  our  general  to 
depart,  promising  the  next  day  to  come  aboard,  and 
in  the  meantime  to  send  us  such  victuals  as  were 
necessary  for  our  provision;  so  that  the  same  night 
we  received  of  them  meal,  which  they  call  sago,  made 
of  the  tops  of  certain  trees,  tasting  in  the  mouth  like 
sour  curds,  but  melteth  like  sugar,  whereof  they  make 
certain  cakes,  which  may  be  kept  the  space  of  ten  years, 
and  yet  then  good  to  be  eaten.  We  had  of  them  store 
of  rice,  hens,  imperfect,  and  liquid  sugar,  sugar-canes 
and  a  fruit  which  they  call  figo,  with  store  of  cloves. 

The  king  having  promised  to  come  aboard,  broke 
his  promise,  but  sent  bis  brother  to  make  his  excuse, 
and  to  entreat  our  general  to  come  on  shore,  offering 
himself  pawn  aboard  for  his  safe  return.  Whereunto 
our  general  consented  not,  upon  misHke  conceived  of 
the  breach  of  his  promise,  the  whole  company  also 
utterly  refusing  it.  But  to  satisfy  him,  our  general 
sent  certain  of  his  gentlemen  to  the  court,  to  accom- 
pany the  king's  brother,  reserving  the  vice-king  for 
their  safe  return.  They  were  received  of  another 
brother  of  the  king's,  and  other  states,  and  were  con- 
ducted with  great  honour  to  the  castle.  The  place  that 
they  were  brought  unto,  was  a  large  and  fair  house 
where  were  at  the  least  i,ooo  persons  assembled. 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  87 

The  king  being  yet  absent,  there  sat  in  their  places 
sixty  grave  personages,  ail  which  were  said  to  be  of  the 
king's  counsel.  There  were  beside  four  grave  persons, 
apparelled  all  in  red,  down  to  the  ground,  and  attired 
on  their  heads  like  the  Turks,  and  these  were  said  to 
be  Romans  and  liegers  there  to  keep  continual  trafl&c 
with  the  people  of  Temate.  There  were  also  two  Turks 
liegers  in  this  place,  and  one  Italian.  The  king  at  last 
came  in  guarded  with  twelve  lances  covered  over  with 
a  rich  canopy,  '^\ith  embossed  gold.  Our  men  accom- 
panied with  one  of  their  captains  called  Moro,  rising 
to  meet  him,  he  graciously  did  welcome,  and  entertain 
them.  He  was  attired  after  the  manner  of  the  country, 
but  more  sumptuously  than  the  rest. 

From  his  waist  do-wn  to  the  ground  was  all  cloth  of 
gold,  and  the  same  very  rich;  his  legs  were  bare,  but 
on  his  feet  were  a  pair  of  shoes,  made  of  Cordovan  skin. 
In  the  attire  of  his  head  were  finely-wreathed  hooped 
rings  of  gold,  and  about  his  neck  he  had  a  chain  of 
perfect  gold,  the  Hnks  whereof  were  great,  and  one 
fold  double.  On  his  fingers  he  had  six  very  fair  jewels, 
and  sitting  in  his  chair  of  estate,  at  his  right  hand  stood 
a  page  with  a  fan  in  his  hand,  breathing  and  gathering 
the  air  to  the  king.  The  fan  was  in  length  two  feet,  and 
in  breadth  one  foot,  set  with  eight  sapphires,  richly 
embroidered,  and  knit  to  a  staff  three  foot  in  length  by 
the  which  the  page  did  hold  and  move  it.  Our  gentle- 
men ha\'ing  delivered  their  message  and  received  order 
accordingly,  were  hcensed  to  depart,  being  safely 
conducted  back  again  by  one  of  the  king's  counsel. 

This  island  is  the  chiefest  of  all  the  islands  of  Mo- 
lucca, and  the  king  hereof  is  king  of  seventy  islands 
besides.  The  king  with  his  people  are  Moors  in  religion, 
Liesers.    Resident  ambassadors. 


88  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

observing  certain  new  moons,  with  fastings;  during 
which  fasts,  they  neither  eat  nor  drink  In  the  day,  but 
in  the  night. 

After  that  our  gentlemen  were  returned,  and  that  we 
-had  here  by  the  favour  of  the  king  received  all  necessary 
^things  that  the  place  could  yield  us :  our  general  con- 
•:sidering  the  great  distance,  and  how  far  he  was  yet  off 
from  his  country,  thought  it  not  best  here  to  linger  the 
time  any  longer,  but  weighing  his  anchors,  set  out  of 
the  island  and  sailed  to  a  certain  little  island  to  the 
southwards  of  Celebes,  where  we  graved  our  ship,  and 
continued  there  in  that  and  oth^r  businesses  twenty- 
six  days.  This  island  is  thoroughly  grown  with  wood 
of  a  large  and  high  growth,  very  straight  and  without 
boughs,  save  only  in  the  head  or  top,  whose  leaves 
are  not  much  differing  from  our  broom  in  England. 
Amongst  these  trees  night  by  night,  through  the  whole 
land,  did  show  themselves  an  infinite  swarm  of  fiery 
worms  flying  in  the  air,  whose  bodies  being  no  bigger 
than  our  common  English  flies,  make  such  a  show  and 
light  as  if  every  twig  or  tree  had  been  a  burning  candle. 
In  this  place  breedeth  also  wonderful  store  of  bats,  as 
big  as  large  hens;  of  crayfishes  also  here  wanted  no 
plenty,  and  they  of  exceeding  bigness,  one  whereof  was 
suificient  for  four  hungry  stomachs  at  a  dinner,  being 
also  very  good,  and  restoring  meat,  whereof  we  had 
experience;  and  they  dig  themselves  holes  in  the  earth 
like  conies. 

When  we  had  ended  our  business  here  we  weighed 
and  set  sail  to  run  for  the  Moluccas:  but  having  at 
that  time  a  bad  wind,  and  being  amongst  the  islands, 
with  much  difficulty  we  recovered  to  the  northward  of 
•  the  island  of  Celebes,  where  by  reason  of  contrary 
winds  not  able  to  continue  our  course  to  run  westwards, 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  89 

we  were  enforced  to  alter  the  same  to  the  southward 
again,  finding  that  course  also  to  be  very  hard  and 
dangerous  for  us,  by  reason  of  infinite  shoals  which  lie 
off,  and  among  the  islands :  whereof  we  had  too  much 
trial  to  the  hazard  and  danger  of  our  ship  and  lives. 
For  of  all  other  days  upon  the  9th  of  January,  in  the 
year  1579,  ^^  ^^^  suddenly  upon  a  rock,  where  we 
stuck  fast  from  eight  of  the  clock  at  night  till  four  of 
the  clock  in  the  afternoon  the  next  day,  being  indeed 
out  of  all  hope  to  escape  the  danger;  but  our  general, 
as  he  had  always  hitherto  shewed  himself  courageous, 
and  of  a  good  confidence  in  the  mercy  and  protection 
of  God :  so  now  he  continued  in  the  same,  and  lest  he 
should  seem  to  perish  wilfully,  both  he  and  we  did  our 
best  endeavour  to  save  ourselves,  w^hich  it  pleased  God 
so  to  bless,  that  in  the  end  we  cleared  ourselves  most 
happily  of  the  danger. 

We  lighted  our  ship  upon  the  rocks  of  three  ton  of 
cloves,  eight  pieces  of  ordinance,  and  certain  meal  and 
beans:  and  then  the  wind  (as  it  were  in  a  moment  by 
the  special  grace  of  God)  changing  from  the  starboard 
to  the  larboard  of  the  ship,  we  hoisted  our  sails,  and 
the  happy  gale  drove  our  ship  off  the  rock  into  the  sea 
again,  to  the  no  Httle  comfort  of  all  our  hearts,  for 
which  we  gave  God  such  praise  and  thanks,  as  so  great 
a  benefit  required. 

The  8th  of  February  following,  we  fell  with  the 
fruitful  island  of  Barateve,  having  in  the  meantime 
suffered  many  dangers  by  winds  and  shoals.  The 
people  of  this  island  are  comely  in  body  and  stature, 
and  of  a  civil  behaviour,  whereof  we  had  the  experi- 
ence sundry  ways,  they  being  most  glad  of  our  presence, 
and  very  ready  to  relieve  our  wants  in  those  things 
which  their  country  did  yield.     The  men  go  naked. 


90  STORIES  FROM  HAKLUYT 

saving  their  heads  and  middles,  every  man  having 
something  or  other  hanging  at  their  ears.  Their  women 
are  covered  from  the  middle  down  to  the  foot,  wearing 
a  great  number  of  bracelets  upon  their  arms,  for  some 
had  eight  upon  each  arm,  being  made  some  of  bone, 
some  of  horn,  and  some  of  brass,  the  Hghtest  whereof 
by  our  estimation  weighed  two  ounces  apiece. 

With  this  people  hnen-cloth  is  good  merchandise, 
and  of  good  request,  whereof  they  make  rolls  for  their 
heads  and  girdles  to  wear  about  them. 

Their  island  is  both  rich  and  fruitful:  rich  in  gold, 
silver,  copper,  and  sulphur,  wherein  they  seem  skilful 
and  expert,  not  only  to  try  the  same,  but  in  working 
it  also  artificially  into  any  form  and  fashion  that 
pleaseth  them. 

Their  fruits  be  divers  and  plentiful,  as  nutmegs, 
ginger,  long  pepper,  lemons,  cucumbers,  cocos,  ligo, 
sago,  with  divers  other  sorts ;  and  among  all  the  rest, 
we  had  one  fruit,  in  bigness,  form  and  husk,  Hke  a 
bay-berry,  hard  of  substance,  and  pleasant  of  taste, 
which  being  sodden,  becometh  soft,  and  is  a  most  good 
and  wholesome  victual,  whereof  we  took  reasonable 
store,  as  we  did  also  of  the  other  fruits  and  spices ;  so 
that  to  confess  a  truth,  since  the  time  that  we  lirst  set 
out  of  our  own  country  of  England,  we  happened  upon 
no  place  (Ternate  only  excepted)  wherein  we  found 
more  comforts  and  better  means  of  refreshing. 

At  our  departure  from  Barateve,  we  set  our  course 
for  Java  Major,  where  arriving,  we  found  great 
courtesy,  and  honourable  entertainment.  This  island  is 
governed  by  five  kings  whom  they  call  Rajah :  as  Rajah 
Donaw,  and  Rajah  Mang  Bange,  and  Rajah  Cabuc- 
capoUo,  which  live  as  having  one  spirit  and  one  mind. 

Of  these  five  we  had  four  a-shipboard  at  once,  and 


FRANCIS   DRAKE  91 

two  or  three  often.  They  are  wonderfully  dehghted  in 
coloured  clothes,  as  red  and  green:  the  upper  parts 
of  their  bodies  are  naked,  save  their  heads,  whereupon 
they  wear  a  Turkish  roll,  as  do  the  Moluccians:  from 
the  middle  downward  they  wear  a  pintado  of  silk, 
trailing  upon  the  ground  in  colour  as  they  best  like. 

The  Moluccians  hate  that  their  women  should  be 
seen  of  strangers :  but  these  offer  them  of  high  courtesy, 
3^ea  the  kings  themselves. 

The  people  are  of  goodly  stature,  and  warlike,  well 
provided  of  swords  and  targets,  with  daggers,  all  being 
of  their  own  work,  and  most  artificially  done,  both  in 
tempering  their  metal,  as  also  in  the  fonn,  whereof 
we  bought  reasonable  store. 

They  have  an  house  in  every  village  for  their  common 
assembly:  ever^-  day  they  meet  twice,  men,  women 
and  children,  bringing  with  them  such  \-ictuals  as 
they  think  good,  some  fruits,  some  rice  boiled,  some 
hens  roasted,  some  sago,  having  a  table  made  three 
foot  from  the  ground,  whereon  they  set  their  meat, 
that  every  person  sitting  at  the  table  may  eat,  one 
rejoicing  in  the  company  of  another. 

They  boil  their  rice  in  an  earthen  pot,  made  in  form 
of  a  sugar  loaf,  being  full  of  holes,  as  our  pots  which 
we  water  our  gardens  withal,  and  it  is  open  at  the 
great  end,  wherein  they  put  their  rice  dr\',  without 
any  moisture.  In  the  meantime  they  have  ready 
another  great  earthen  pot,  set  fast  in  a  furnace,  boiling 
full  of  water,  whereinto  they  put  their  pot  with  rice, 
by  such  measure,  that  they  swelling  become  soft  at 
the  first,  and  by  their  swelling  stopping  the  holes  of 
the  pot,  admit  no  more  water  to  enter,  but  the  more 
they  are  boiled,  the  harder  and  more  firm  substance 
they  become,  so  that  in  the  end  they  are  a  firm  and 


92         STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

good  bread,  of  the  which  with  oil,  butter,  sugar  and 
other  spices,  they  make  divers  sorts  of  meats  very 
pleasant  of  taste,  and  nourishing  to  nature. 

Disease  is  here  very  common  to  all,  and  they  help 
themselves  sitting  naked  from  ten  to  two  in  the  sun, 
whereby  the  venomous  humour  is  drawn  out.  Not 
long  before  our  departure,  they  told  us,  that  not  far 
off  there  were  such  great  ships  as  ours,  wishing  us  to 
beware:    upon  this  our  captain  would  stay  no  longer. 

From  Java  Major  we  sailed  for  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  which  was  the  first  land  we  fell  withal:  neither 
did  we  touch  with  it,  or  any  other  land,  until  we  came 
to  Sierra  Leone,  upon  the  coast  of  Guinea:  notwith- 
standing we  ran  hard  aboard  the  Cape,  finding  the 
report  of  the  Portugals  to  be  most  false,  who  affirm 
that  it  is  the  most  dangerous  cape  of  the  world,  never 
without  intolerable  storms  and  present  danger  to 
travellers,  which  came  near  the  same. 

This  cape  is  a  most  stately  thing,  and  the  fairest 
cape  we  saw  in  the  whole  circumference  of  the  earth, 
and  we  passed  by  it  the  i8th  of  June. 

From  thence  we  continued  our  course  to  Sierra 
Leone  on  the  coast  of  Guinea,  where  we  arrived  the 
22nd  of  July,  and  found  necessary  provisions,  great 
store  of  elephants,  oysters  upon  trees  of  one  kind, 
spawning  and  increasing  infinitely,  the  oyster  suffering 
no  bud  to  grow.    We  departed  thence  the  24th  day. 

We  arrived  in  England  the  3rd  of  November,  1580, 
being  the  third  year  of  our  departure. 


A  VOYAGE   INTENDED 
TOWARDS   CHINA 


The  voyage  intended  towards  China,  wherein  Master 
Edward  Fenton  was  appointed  general.  Written 
by  M.  Luke  Ward,  his  vice-admiral,  and  captain 
of  the  "  Edward  Bonaventiire."  Begun  Anno  Dom. 
1582. 

The  2nd  of  April  I  departed  with  the  Edward  Bona- 
venture  from  Blackwall,  and  the  19th  of  the  same 
arrived  in  Nettle  Road  at  Hampton,  where  I  found 
riding  the  galleon  Leicester:  and  so  remaining  there 
till  the  1st  of  May,  we  set  sail  thence  in  the  forenoon, 
being  of  us  in  the  whole  fleet  four  sail. 

1.  The  galleon  Leicester,  of  four  hundred  tons, 
admiral,  whereof  was  general  Captain  Edward  Fenton, 
and  William  Hawkins  the  younger  lieutenant-general 
in  her,  and  Christopher  Hall  master. 

2.  The  Edward  Bonaventure  of  three  hundred  tons, 
vice-admiral,  whereof  was  captain  Luke  Ward,  and 
Thomas  Perry  master. 

3.  The  Francis,  of  forty  tons,  rear-admiral,  whereof 
was  captain  John  Drake,  and  William  Markham  master. 

4.  The  Elizabeth,  of  fifty  tons,  whereof  was  captain 
Thomas  Skevington,  and  Ralph  Crane  master. 

We  spent  by  means  partly  of  business  and  partly  of 
contrary  winds,  the  month  of  May  upon  the  coast, 
and  then,  leaving  the  land,  we  put  off  to  sea  and 
proceeded  on  our  vo^^age,  intended,  by  grace  of  God, 
for  China.  Until  the  month  of  August  following,  no- 
thing fell  out  much  worthy  the  knowledge  of  the  world 

93 


94  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

which  is  not  common  to  ah  navigators,  but  about  the 
beginning  of  August  aforesaid,  being  somewhat  near 
the  coast  of  Guinea,  upon  the  shooting  off  a  piece 
and  the  putting  out  of  a  flag  in  the  admiral,  I  went 
aboard,  and  Master  Walker,  Mr.  Shaw,  Mr.  Jeffries, 
our  master  and  pilot,  with  me,  where  the  general 
council  was  assembled  to  consider  of  two  points,  viz. : 

The  first,  whether  it  were  necessary  to  water  pre- 
sently or  not,  which  was  thought  very  needful  of  all 
men  and  so  concluded. 

The  second,  where  the  best  and  aptest  place  was  to 
water  in,  which  was  thought  of  the  greater  number 
to  be  at  Sierra  Leone,  on  the  coast  of  Guinea,  which 
was  also  concluded,  and  by  the  master  and  pilots 
agreed  to  go  hence  south-east,  which  determined  we 
returned  aboard. 

The  third  da}/  we  went  south-east  and  east-south- 
east till  six  o'clock  at  night  that  we  saw  the  land  of 
Guinea,  which  bare  north-east  of  us  about  twelve 
leagues  off.  Then  went  I  and  our  master  pilot  aboard 
the  admiral,  and  after  many  debatements,  concluded 
to  run  in  north-east  by  east,  and  at  eleven  at  night 
we  came  aboard  again,  and  went  all  night  north-east 
by  east. 

The  4th  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  we  were 
within  two  leagues  of  the  land,  which  bare  off  us 
north-east,  which  rose  like  a  hill  full  of  woods,  and  on 
each  side  low  land.  We  being  persuaded  by  our  pilots 
that  it  was  the  entrance  into  Sierra  Leone,  went  in 
north-east  until  we  were  within  half  league  of  the 
shore,  and  had  brought  the  south  point  south-east  by 
east  off  us.  At  eleven  o'clock,  finding  it  a  bay  and 
not  Sierra  Leone,  we  brought  our  tacks  aboard  and 
stood  along  west  by  north  and  west  larboard -tacked. 


EDWARD  FENTON  95 

In  this  time  our  admiral's  pinnace  rowed  in  and 
went  on  land  upon  the  south  side  of  the  bay,  and  the 
Elizabeth's  boat  with  her.  They  found  houses  of  boughs, 
and  in  one  of  the  houses  the  tongue  of  a  beast  and  a 
bullock's  tongue,  fresh  killed.  Also  a  lake  with  plenty 
of  fresh  water  and  fresh-water  fish  in  it  hard  by  the 
sea-side.  They  found  dry  pomegranates  and  peas  like 
nuts,  with  other  unknown  fruits  under  the  trees.  The 
Elizabeth  ran  in  and  brought  the  south  point  south  by 
west  of  her,  and  anchored  within  falcon-shot  of  the 
shore  in  seven  fathom  ooze,  where  they  took  fish  with 
hooks,  while  they  stayed  for  the  boats. 

The  4th  all  the  afternoon  we  ran  along  the  coast 
(which  lieth  north-west  and  by  north,  and  south-east 
by  south)  west  and  within  a  point  one  way  or  the  other, 
seeing  the  land  under  our  lee  three  or  four  leagues 
off;   and  all  night  likewi>e. 

The  9th  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  our  admiral 
shot  ofi  a  piece,  and  at  four  we  weighed  and  went 
hence  north-east.  At  five  in  the  morning  we  saw  the 
land  along,  and  the  i>land  which  we  saw  the  ni,2:ht 
before,  and  divers  other  islands  about  it,  and  so  ran  in 
north-east  until  we  had  brought  ourselves  athwart  of 
the  river,  and  then  ran  in  east  about  six  at  night, 
being  a  league  within  the  river.  Our  admiral  shot  off  a 
piece,  and  there  we  anchored  in  eight  fathom  sand. 
Being  at  anchor,  I  manned  our  boat,  and  would  have 
gone  aboard  the  admiral,  but  could  not,  the  flood  was 
bent  so  strong,  and  she  rode  half  a  mile  beneath  us  in 
the  tide,  but  we  had  no  tide. 

The  loth,  in  the  morning  at  five  o'clock,  I  sent  our 
skiff,  with  our  pilot  in  her,  to  find  a  road  and  a  water- 
ing-place. In  the  meantime,  at  six  o'clock,  we  set  sail 
with  our  ship,  and  being  calm,  we  towed  with  our  boat 


96  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

until  ten,  and  then  anchored  a  mile  short  of  the 
watering-place.  After  dinner  I  went  on  land  with  my 
skiff  to  find  timber  to  fish  our  mast,  and,  searching 
along  the  shore,  we  found  a  good  watering-place: 
and  further  seeking  the  wood,  which  all  the  country  is 
full  of,  and  of  divers  sorts,  we  found  lemon  trees,  full 
of  fruits;  also  trees  growing  by  the  waterside  with 
the  stalks  hung  full  of  oysters  and  great  periwinkles 
and  crabs  amongst  them.  We  found  dry  pomegranates, 
with  many  other  fruits  unknown  to  us.  In  the  mean- 
time, our  admiral  and  the  Edward,  with  the  barques, 
having  a  gale  at  west,  set  sail  and  ran  up  and  anchored 
in  the  road  before  the  accustomed  watering-place. 

The  22nd  day,  certain  Portuguese  which  had  been 
with  us  before,  came  down  and  brought  some  other 
Portuguese  and  negroes  with  them  in  a  ship's  boat, 
wherein  they  brought  us  eighty  bags  of  rice,  five 
hundred  and  odd  weight  of  elephants'  teeth  and  a  negro 
boy,  which  boy  they  gave  the  general,  and  the  rice 
and  teeth  for  the  Elizabeth,  which  we  sold  them,  with 
all  her  tackle  and  sails,  having  need  of  the  rice  because 
our  meal  which  we  brought  out  of  England  was 
decayed  and  naught,  whereof  we  had  into  the  Edward 
thirty  bushels,  which  is  a  bag  and  a  half:  the  Francis 
had  five  bushels  and  the  galleon  had  the  rest.  And 
we  had  two  hundredweight  of  elephants'  teeth  and 
the  galleon  three  hundred  and  a  half  and  six  pound. 
During  this  time  we  sent  our  skiff  with  the  admiral's 
pinnace  up  the  river  to  meet  with  a  gundall,  which 
the  Portuguese  had  sent  for  fresh  victuals  for  us :  who, 
not  finding  her,  returned  at  night.  AU  this  day  I, 
with  Mr.  Walker,  remained  aboard  with  the  admiral, 
and  after  their  dinner  and  supper  we  ended  our 
Gundall.  A  kind  of  gondola. 


EDWARD   FENTON  97 

business  and  returned  aboard,  having  had  many  good 
speeches  with  the  Portuguese. 

The  26th  day  being  Sunday,  Captain  Hawkins, 
Mr.  Maddox,  Mr.  Hall,  Mr.  Bannister,  Captain  Drake, 
Mr.  Evans,  Mr.  Hood  and  others  came  aboard  and 
heard  the  sennon  and  dined  with  me.  After  dinner  we 
went  on  shore  to  the  lower  point,  where  we  followed 
the  footing  of  an  elephant,  but  saw  him  not,  and  so 
spent  the  time  to  and  fro  till  supper-time,  and  then 
came  aboard  and  supped  together,  which  done,  each 
man  departed  to  his  abode. 

This  night  I  was  very  sick  (and  so  were  all  they  that 
were  on  shore  with  me)  with  eating  of  a  fruit  in  the 
countrv  which  we  found  on  trees,  like  nuts.  Whereof 
some  did  eat  four,  some  five,  some  six  and  more  but 
we  vomited  upon  it  without  reason. 

The  27th  day,  in  the  afternoon,  the  old  Greek, 
Francisco,  came  aboard  to  me  with  request  that  he 
might  have  the  Francis'  boat  to  go  up  for  hi-  own  boat, 
which  was  not  come  down,  with  whom  I  talked  of  this 
country'  and  countr\^  people  until  five  of  the  clock  at 
night  that  the  flood  was  come,  and  then  I  went  aboard 
to  the  admiral  and  got  his  consent,  and  sent  themselves 
in  her;  viz.  Ferdinando,  the  Portuguese  master  and  his 
negro.  In  the  meantime  I  sent  four  of  my  men  to 
watch  in  the  Elizabeth  all  night. 

The  28th  day,  in  the  morning  at  four  o'clock,  I  sent 
my  skiff,  with  the  admiral's  pinnace,  down  to  the  west 
point  to  fish,  who  came  aboard  again  at  one  in  the 
afternoon  and  brought  as  much  fish  as  all  our  companies 
could  eat. 

During  the  time  that  our  boats  were  a-fishing, 
came  down  the  river  a  canoe  and  the  Portuguese's 
former  boat,  with  hens,  oranges,  plantains,  which  they 

D 


98  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

presented  the  general  and  me  with :  and  also  the  rest  of 
the  rice  due  to  us  for  the  pa\^ment  of  the  Elizabeth. 
For  the  partitions  whereof  I  went  aboard  the  admiral, 
where  I  dined.  After  dinner  Mr.  Evans  began  to 
barter  away  certain  of  the  ship's  commodities  with 
the  negroes,  without  acquainting  the  general  or  any 
other  until  he  had  done,  whereof  grew  more  words 
than  profit,  as  by  the  books  of  merchandise  appeareth. 
Which  done,  I  came  aboard  and  had  two  of  the 
Portuguese  to  supper  with  me.  About  two  of  the  clock 
in  the  morning  we  had  a  tornado  and  much  rain. 

The  29th,  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  I  in 
my  skiff,  and  Captain  Parker  in  his  pinnace,  went  down 
to  the  west  point,  and  there  we  landed  with  eleven 
men  in  all,  well  furnished,  and  searched  the  woods, 
plains  and  plashes  after  an  elephant,  finding  the 
haunt,  footing  and  soil  of  many,  newly  done,  yet  we 
saw  none  of  them.  We  saw  hogs,  goats  or  fawns,  and 
divers  sorts  of  fowls,  very  wild.  And  having  travelled 
about  two  leagues,  about  noon  we  returned  to  the 
point,  where  we  landed  and  met  our  boats  which  had 
been  at  sea  and  taken  plenty  of  good  fish.  There  we 
refreshed  ourselves  with  such  victuals  as  we  had,  and 
came  aboard  our  several  ships,  where  I  found  the 
Portuguese  and  negroes  who  had  dined,  and  after 
supped  aboard  with  me. 

The  2nd  of  September  we  set  sail  at  six  of  the  clock 
in  the  morning,  and  went  out  west  between  seven 
and  ten  fathom,  with  a  pretty  gale  at  east  till  eight, 
then  it  waxed  calm,  we  being  shot  out  of  the  harbour 
a  league  and  a  half.  It  continued  calm  this  day  till 
one  in  the  afternoon,  and  then  it  blew  up  at  west- 
south-east  a  good  gale,  so  we  stood  off  north-north- 
west and  north-west  till  five  in  the  afternoon,  then  we 


EDWARD    FENTON  99 

anchored  in  twelve  fathoms,  being  six  leagues  oft  the 
point  west  by  north. 

The  3rd  day,  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  forenoon, 
the  general  came  aboard  to  me,  complaining  that  his 
main  cross-trees  were  broken,  and  therefore  deter- 
mined to  go  into  Sierra  Leone  again  when  the  wind 
blew.  At  twelve  at  noon  we  set  sail,  and  went  in  east- 
south-east  and  south-south-east,  being  carried  to  the 
northward  with  the  flood.  And  at  seven  at  night  we 
anchored  in  eight  fathoms,  three  leagues  off  the 
entrance,  west-north-west. 

The  I2th  day  came  down  the  river  a  boat  with  three 
other  Portuguese,  with  whom  the  general  bargained 
to  let  them  have  three  barrels  of  salt  for  five  barrels  of 
rice,  and  after  that  rate  to  exchange  for  forty  barrels, 
which  he  acquainted  me  with.  Afterwards  I  dined 
among  the  Portugals  with  him.  After  dinner  I  went 
on  shore  to  the  oven  and  to  the  carpenters.  After  I 
had  been  on  shore  and  seen  the  work  tliere,  I  returned 
aboard  and  there  supped  with  me  the  general,  Mr. 
Maddox,  Captain  Hawkins  and  seven  Portuguese. 
After  supper  each  man  returned  to  his  place. 

The  13th,  in  the  afternoon,  the  Portuguese  came 
again  aboard  me,  and  brake  their  fast  with  me :  after  I 
sent  by  them  up  the  river  in  my  skiff,  twelve  barrels  of 
salt,  and  gave  them  a  bottle  of  wine  for  one  of  the 
savage  queens. 

The  15th,  after  dinner,  the  master,  Mr.  \\'alker,  and 
I,  accompanied  with  twelve  others,  travelled  over  a 
great  deal  of  ground  to  find  some  cattle,  but  found 
none.  And  coming  home  through  the  Oyster  Bay,  I 
found  of  my  company  and  the  admiral's  together 
roasting  oysters:  and  going  from  them  Thomas 
Russell,  one  of  my  company,  saw  a  strange  fish,  named 


100  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

utelif,  which  had  fought  with  a  crocodile,  and  being 
hurt,  came  near  the  shore,  where  he  waded  in,  and  by 
the  tail  drew  him  a-land  and  there  slew  him  and  sent 
the  general  the  hinder  half  of  him.  The  head  part  I 
kept,  in  whose  nose  is  a  bone  of  two  feet  long,  like  a 
sword,  with  three-and -twenty  pricks  of  a  side,  sharp 
and  strange.  The  body  we  did  eat,  and  it  was  like  a 
shark. 

The  30th  and  last  day  of  September,  the  Francis' 
cook  came  aboard  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon 
from  fishing  with  my  net,  and  brought  among  other 
fish  a  sea-calf  (as  we  called  it)  with  hair  and  limpets 
and  barnacles  upon  him,  being  seven  foot  long,  four 
foot  nine  inches  about;  which  to  see  I  sent  for  the 
general  and  such  as  pleased  to  come  see  it  out  of  the 
admiral,  who  came  and  brought  with  him  Mr.  Maddox, 
Captain  Hawkins,  Captain  Parker  and  most  part  of 
his  company,  who  having  viewed  the  beast,  which  was 
ugly,  being  alive,  it  being  flayed,  opened  and  dressed, 
proved  an  excellent  fare  and  good  meat,  broiled, 
roasted,  sodden  and  baked,  and  sufficed  all  our  com- 
panies for  that  day. 

The  1st  day  of  October,  in  the  morning,  we  took  in, 
to  make  up  our  full  complement  of  rice,  twenty  barrels 
for  the  twelve  barrels  of  salt  delivered  the  Portuguese, 
Lewis  Henriques,  before. 

The  2nd  day,  about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we 
set  sail,  having  little  wind.  The  captain,  with  the 
master  and  other  of  their  company  of  the  Portuguese, 
came  aboard  me,  complaining  that  the  carsey  by  them 
received  for  the  four  negroes  of  the  general  was  not 
sufficient  for  their  payment;  whereupon  I  gave  them 
scarlet  caps  and  other  things,  to  their  content,  who, 
Carsey.   Kersey,  a  kind  of  coarse  woollen  cloth. 


EDWARD   FENTON  loi 

finding  themselves  well  pleased,  departed  away  in  the 
gundall,  and  we,  having  little  wind,  got  down  athwart 
of  the  fishing  bay  and  there  came  to  anchor  about  nine 
o'clock  the  same  forenoon. 

The  3rd  day,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  mornmj^,  we 
set  sail,  and  went  hence  south-west  by  west  till  two 
in  the  afternoon,  then  being  little  wind.  At  five  we 
anchored  six  leagues  east-south-east  of  the  southern- 
most part  of  the  land  in  fifteen  fathoms,  and  there  we 
rode  till  eight  o'clock  at  night,  and  set  sail  with  a  stiff 
gale  at  north-east,  which  sometimes  blew  and  some- 
times was  little  wind,  and  so  continued  all  night. 

The  1st  day  of  November,  in  the  forenoon,  we  took 
in  our  mainsail  to  mend  it.  In  the  meantime  the 
admiral  came  up  by  us,  and  desiring  me  with  my 
master  and  Mr.  BlackcoUer,  to  come  aboard  to  him 
about  certain  conference,  he  sent  his  boat  for  us, 
wliere  by  him  was  propounded  whether  it  were  best 
for  us  to  stand  on  with  the  coast  of  Brazil,  as  we  did, 
or  else  to  stand  about  starboard  tacked  to  the  east- 
wards. Whereupon  divers  of  their  charts  and  reckonings 
were  showed :  by  some  it  appeared  wc  were  a  hundred 
and  fifteen  leagues,  by  some  a  hundred  and  fifty 
leagues,  by  some  a  hundred  and  forty  leagues,  and 
some  a  great  deal  further  short  of  Brazil,  next -hand 
north-east  of  us:  but  all  agreed  to  be  within  twenty 
minutes  of  the  Line,  some  to  the  north,  some  to  the 
south  of  the  Line. 

After  many  debatements,  it  was  agreed  by  most 
consent  to  stand  on  for  the  coast  of  Brazil,  except  the 
wind  changed,  and  there  to  do  as  weather  should 
compel  us.  In  this  consultation  we  had  speeches 
of  courses  and  places  of  meeting,  if  by  misfortune 
we  should    be  separated,  wherein  was   no   full   order 


102  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

concluded,  but  that  we  should  speak  every  night  with 
the  admiral,  if  we  conveniently  might,  and  so  to 
appoint  our  course  from  time  to  time,  if  we  lost  com- 
pany, to  stay  fifteen  days  in  the  River  of  Plate,  and 
from  thence  to  go  for  the  Straits  and  there  to  ride 
and  water  and  trim  our  ships. 

The  I2th,  in  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Maddox,  Mr.  Hall, 
Mr.  Bannister  and  others  came  aboard  to  visit  Mr. 
Walker.  After  a  time  of  abode  with  him,  they  returned 
to  the  galleon  all  again,  except  Mr.  Maddox,  who 
remained  with  Mr.  Walker  here  aboard. 

This  night  Mr.  Maddox  and  I  beheld  many  constel- 
lations in  the  firmament,  and  set  down  certain  new 
stars  raised  to  the  southwards.  All  day  and  night  we 
went  south  and  south  by  east  among. 

The  17th  day,  in  the  afternoon,  we  shot  off  three 
pieces  of  ordinance  in  honour  of  our  Queen's  Majesty. 
This  day,  after  dinner,  came  Master  Maddox  and 
Captain  Drake  with  others,  to  take  their  leave  of 
Master  Walker,  as  I  with  all  my  company  had  done 
before,  supposing  him  past  hope  of  recovery.  At  four 
of  the  clock,  finding  ourselves  in  nineteen  degrees  to 
the  southwards  of  the  Line,  and  clear  of  the  shoals, 
called  by  us  Powles,  we  went  hence  south-south-west 
all  night  following. 

The  i8th  day,  being  Sunday,  after  dinner  the 
general,  Master  Maddox,  Captain  Parker,  and  many 
other,  came  aboard  and  visited  Mr.  Walker;  which 
done  they  drank  and  departed  aboard  again.  All  this 
day  and  night  w^e  went  our  course  south-west  by  south, 
with  a  frank  gale. 

The  19th  da3%  about  noon,  the  sun  was  in  our  zenith, 
being  declined  to  the  southwards  twenty-one  degrees 
and   thirty-three   minutes,   where   we   found   the   air 


EDWARD    FENTON  103 

fresh  and  temperate  as  in  England  in  June  when  a 
fresh  gale  of  wind  doth  blow  in  the  heat  of  the  day; 
but  the  evening,  the  night  and  the  morning  are  more 
fresh  and  colder  here  than  it  is  in  England,  either  in 
June  or  July. 

The  ist  of  December,  about  six  of  the  ckx  k  in  the 
morning,  we  saw  land  on  the  coast  of  Brazil,  in  the 
hei.£(ht  of  twenty-eight  degrees  or  thereabouts,  which 
bare  north-west  and  was  eight  leagues  from  us  vor\' 
high  land.  We  stood  in  with  it,  being  much  wind,  and 
coming  near  found  divers  islands:  and  seeing  the 
Francis  would  not  come  room  nor  run  ahead  us,  we 
stood  in  with  the  shore  and  sounded  in  thirty  fathoms 
ooze  three  leagues  off  the  land,  bearing  from  the  west- 
north-west  to  the  north-north-west  of  us,  and  so  stood 
still  till  it  shoaled  orderly  into  <even  fathoms,  within 
a  mile  of  a  headland:  then  perceiving  a  breach  over 
our  bow,  and  no  hope  of  a  good  harbour  in  that  place, 
we  bare  up  room  and  our  admiral  after  us,  whom  we 
hailed:  then  he  told  us  he  would  seek  harbour  to 
leewards,  requiring  me  to  go  ahead.  Then  seeing  the 
barque  was  astern,  I  hoisted  out  my  skiff  and  set  her 
mast  and  sail,  taking  her  ging,  and  Tobias,  one  of  my 
master's  mates  with  me,  and  ran  before  the  ship, 
sounding  in  fifteen  fathoms  fair  sand,  leaving  a  ledge 
of  rocks  a-seaboard  of  us :  so  the  ships  and  the  barque 
luffed  up  under  a  headland  and  anchored  in  eight 
fathom,  half  a  mile  off  the  land,  having  brought  the 
headland,  which  lieth  twenty-seven  degrees  fifty 
minutes   south-south-east   off   them. 

I  stood  on  with  the  skiff,  hoping  to  find  a  better 
harbour  to  leeward  three  leagues,  but  it  proved  not  so: 
wherefore  I  returned  and  in  my  way  aboard  I  met  with 

Gins.  Crew. 


I 


104  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

a  rock  in  the  sea,  where  we  landed  and  killed  good  store 
of  fowl,  and  after  I  went  aboard  the  admiral,  where  I 
presented  him  with  fowl  and  returned  aboard  to  supper. 

In  this  time  our  boats  had  been  a-land  and  found 
water,  ballast  and  two  decayed  houses,  as  they  told 
me,  and  our  men  aboard  hooked  fresh  fish.  This  night 
we  rode  quietly. 

The  second,  being  Sunday,  our  masters  moored  our 
ships  further  into  the  bay.  We  brought  the  south 
point  south-east  of  us,  and  the  north  land  north-east, 
and  so  rid. 

After  dinner  Captain  Parker,  with  my  boat  and 
company,  went  on  land  and  there  placed  pipes  and 
made  three  weUs.  In  the  meantime  I,  accompanied 
with  Mr.  Hawkins,  Mr.  Maddox,  Mr.  Cotton  and 
divers  of  mine  own  people,  landed  farther  within  the 
bay,  and  found  two  rivers  of  fresh  water  and  a  good 
fishing  place.  Presently  I  sent  aboard  for  my  net, 
with  which  at  one  draught  we  drew  six  hundred  great 
mullets  and  five  great  basses;  the  like  draught  was 
never  seen  with  so  small  a  net;  with  which  we  went 
aboard,  giving  to  the  admiral  two  hundred  and  forty, 
to  the  Francis  eighty,  and  the  rest  our  company 
spent  and  gave  Almighty  God  thanks  for  His  great 
goodness. 

All  this  while  was  Captain  Parker  and  others  gone 
into  the  land  and  fired  the  woods,  which  burned 
extremely. 

The  third  day,  in  the  morning,  our  carpenter 
caulked  without -board,  and  the  master  and  others 
took  up  all  the  merchandise  in  the  stem  sheets  to  the 
keel,  and  there  put  down  a  boat's  loading  of  stone: 
and  seeing  the  merchandise  well  conditioned,  stowed 
the  same  again.    In  the  meantime,  myself  and  others 


EDWARD   FENTON  105 

in  our  boats,  scraped  off  the  worms  and  washed  the 
rudder  and  part  of  one  side  of  our  ship. 

After  dinner  the  master,  pilot  and  I  went  ashore, 
and  observed  the  sun  at  noon,  which  being  past,  with 
our  net  we  drew  plenty  of  divers  sorts  of  fishes  and 
went  from  that  ba}'  to  the  watering-place;  from 
thence  aboard  the  general,  which  had  taken  physic, 
and  gave  them  and  the  Francis  fish  for  their  com- 
panies, and  so  went  aboard,  where  our  company  had 
rummaged  aforemast,  so  that  this  afternoon  we  took 
in  two  boats  more  loading  of  stones  aforemast. 

The  sixth  day,  in  the  morning,  before  six  of  the 
clock,  we  saw  a  sail  which  went  towards  the  south- 
wards, the  admiral  not  having  knowledge  thereof.  I 
went  aboard  and  certified  him,  who  appointed  me  to 
go  and  bring  her  in,  and  to  take  Captain  Parker  and 
some  of  the  galleon's  men  into  the  Francis  and  the 
admiral's  skifi  with  us.  So  we  gave  her  chase  and 
took  her  six  leagues  to  the  leewards  of  the  place  we 
rode  in.  Then,  not  being  able  to  fetch  the  road  again, 
we  anchored  in  the  sea,  I  intending  to  come  away  in 
the  pinnace  and  leave  the  Francis  and  the  prize  to- 
gether, being  ready  to  depart :  the  wind  blew  at  south 
a  stout  gale  and  rain;  so  that  about  six  of  the  clock 
we  anchored  in  the  road,  where  our  ships  rode. 

After  we  had  taken  them,  and  that  Captain  Parker 
and  I  were  aboard  we  had  much  talk  with  them  before 
they  came  to  the  ships,  and  being  anchored  there 
the  chief  men  were  carried  aboard  the  general,  which 
was  a  gentleman  named  Don  Francisco  de  Torre 
Vedra,  nephew  to  the  governor  of  the  River  of  Plate, 
named  Don  John  de  Torre  Vedra. 

We  found  an  Englishman,  named  Richard  Carter, 
bom  in   Limehouse,  who  had   been  out  of  England 


io6  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

four-and-twenty  years,  and  hath  been  near  twelve 
years  dwelling  in  the  River  of  Plate  at  a  town  named 
Ascension,  three  hundred  leagues  up  in  the  river, 
whither  they  were  now  determined  to  go  and  inhabit, 
having  two  women  and  two  young  children,  seven 
friars,  the  rest  boys  and  sailors  to  the  number  of 
one-and-twenty  persons. 

The  old  friar  was  had  in  great  reverence  among  the 
rest;  insomuch  that  they  called  him  the  Holy  Father. 
He  was  abiding  in  no  place,  but  as  visitor  he  went 
visiting  from  monastery  to  monastery. 

The  substance  of  all  the  speeches  was,,  that  the 
Spanish  fleet  was  before  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  as 
they  thought,  for  they  were  departed  six  weeks  past 
from  the  River  of  Janeiro,  where  they  had  been  seven 
months  to  refresh  and  winter,  and  that  these  were 
not  of  that  company,  but  came  out  of  Spain  the 
26th  of  May,  1582,  in  a  barque  of  four-score  ton  and 
four-score  persons,  of  purpose  for  the  River  of  Plate. 
The  friars  being  eighteen  of  number  could  not  agree, 
and  their  barque  was  a-ground  at  Spirito  Santo,  like 
to  be  lost:  therefore  the  old  friar  bought  this  small 
barque  of  forty-six  tons  at  a  port  named  Spirito 
Santo  in  Brazil,  and  so  divided  themselves,  and  coming 
from  thence  lost  company  at  sea;  but  they  thought 
they  were  before  at  the  River  of  Plate.  After  his 
speeches  I  went  and  appointed  (by  the  general's  order) 
men  to  remain  aboard  the  prize  with  Captain  Parker, 
and  brought  one  of  the  Portuguese  sails  away  with 
me  and  came  aboard,  where  I  found  that  our  men  had 
filled  water  all  day. 

The  7th  day  in  the  morning,  the  general  sent  for 
me;  where  he  showed  me  and  Mr.  Maddox  certain 
articles  which  the  friars  and  mariners  Spaniards  were 


EDWARD   FENTON  107 

examined  of,  which  tended  altogether  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  Spanish  fleet's  intent  and  of  the  means  whereby 
we  might  be  discovered  by  the  way  of  the  River  of 
Plate  by  land  to  Peru.  In  this  time  came  the  rest: 
after  whose  coming  it  was  debated  whether  it  were 
best  to  take  the  boat  and  people  with  us  or  not.  Which 
was  not  determined,  but  referred  till  further  exam- 
ination. 

Then  was  it  determined  to  pass  by  the  Straits, 
notwithstanding  the  Spaniards  were  there,  but  not  to 
set  up  forge,  nor  to  build  pinnace,  but  water  and  so 
thorow. 

The  8th  day  afore  noon,  Mr.  Walker  and  I  went 
aboard  the  admiral  to  dinner,  where  was  determined 
to  discharge  the  Spanish  barque,  named  Our  Lady  of 
Pity,  and  all  the  men  except  Richard  Carter,  the 
Englishman,  and  John  Pinto,  a  Portuguese  which 
dwelled  at  the  River  of  Plate.  After  dinner  the  general 
appointed  me  and  Captain  Hawkins  to  see  them  all 
set  aboard  their  ship,  and  to  receive  from  them  certain 
necessaries,  which  willingly  they  imparted  with  us, 
and  to  leave  them  satisfied.  Which  done,  I  returned 
aboard. 

The  9th  day,  being  Sunday,  in  the  morning  I  sent 
Mr.  Shaw  and  Mr.  Jeffries  aboard  the  adm.iral  to  peruse 
the  Spaniards'  letters;  wherein  they  found  the  estate 
of  the  fleet  which  was  in  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  as 
by  the  note  thereof  appeareth. 

About  ten  of  the  clock  the  general,  Mr.  Maddox, 
Captain  Hawkins  and  Captain  Parker  came  aboard 
of  me.  The  general  began  to  reprove  my  quarter- 
m.aster  for  grudging  of  victuals  for  the  Francis;  which 
was  answered  and  he  well  satisfied.  Then  sent  I  for 
the  old  friar  and  Don  Francisco,  who  all  dined  with 


io8  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

me;  and  after  dinner,  the  Spaniards  having  received 
the  canoe  which  was  sunk  a-land  and  stones  to  ballast 
them,  which  my  boat  carried  them,  and  all  other 
things  to  their  liking  and  content,  they  departed  from 
me.  The  general  also  departed  and  his  company,  who 
being  gone  I  divided  the  sugar  and  ginger  among  my 
people,  which  the  Spaniards  gave  us,  and  after  spent 
the  day  in  ordinary  business. 

The  loth  day,  in  the  morning,  our  skiff  went  a- 
fishing,  whereof  we  ate  as  much  to  supper  as  served 
the  company;  the  rest  we  salted  for  store,  and  to 
prove  if  they  would  take  salt  or  not. 

The  nth  day,  betimes  in  the  morning,  our  skiff 
went  again  to  fish  and  took  great  plenty.  About  seven 
of  the  clock  I  went  a-land,  taking  with  me  the  master 
and  others  of  our  best  men  to  the  number  of  twenty- 
two  persons,  and  travelled  to  the  place  where  our 
people  before  had  found  many  great  jars  of  earth  and 
decayed  habitations  of  the  Indians,  and  trees,  being 
dead  and  withered,  of  sweet  wood.  From  that  place 
we  saw,  over  the  tops  of  a  narrow  wood,  a  fair  plain, 
which,  at  the  request  of  the  master  and  the  rest,  I 
went  with  them  to  see.  We  passed  through  a  thick 
and  perilous  wood  before  we  came  to  the  supposed 
plain:  and  when  we  came  to  it  we  found  the  lowest 
part  thereof  higher  than  any  of  our  heads,  and  so 
mossy  underfoot  that  we  shpped  to  the  knees  many 
steps,  which  so  wearied  us  that,  for  my  part,  I  was 
very  sick,  and  so  hasted  aboard,  leaving  the  master 
with  fifteen  men,  which  cut  a  tree  of  sweet  wood  and 
brought  many  pieces  thereof  aboard. 

About  three  o'clock  afternoon,  Mr.  Walker  and  many 
of  our  men  being  ashore,  the  wind  came  fair  and  we 
laid  out  a  warp  to  the  north-east,  and  began  to  wind 


EDWARD   FENTON  109 

ahead.  After  we  laid  out  another  warp  with  a  bend  and 
wound  to  the  plat,  and  so  rid  by  it  with  one  anchor 
all  night. 

The  I2th  day  about  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we 
set  sail,  and  as  we  ran  out  betwixt  the  ledge  of  rocks 
and  the  main,  in  eight  fathoms  water,  as  we  were 
catting  our  anchor  the  cat-rope,  stopper  and  all 
broke,  so  that  we  were  glad  to  let  slip  all  the  cable 
and  cast  off  our  boat  and  skiff  to  weigh  the  same. 
After  we  had  stood  out  a  good  way,  the  admiral  was 
under  sail:  then  cast  we  about  and  went  room  with 
the  admiral  which  waved  us,  who  sent  in  his  pinnace 
and  the  Francis  to  help  out  our  boats :  so  by  the  help 
of  the  admiral's  pinnace,  with  her  sail,  we  had  our 
boat  the  sooner,  and  about  twelve  o'clock  at  noon  had 
taken  in  the  anchor,  cable,  our  longboat,  skiff  and  all, 
and  put  out  all  our  sails,  bearing  after  the  admiral, 
which  went  hence  south  by  east.  About  six  o'clock 
at  night,  being  thick  weather,  we  lost  sight  of  the 
land,  being  four  leagues  off  or  thereabout.  All  night 
it  was  but  little  wind;  yet  went  we  our  course  south 
by  west. 

The  13th  day,  about  seven  afore  noon,  the  wind 
blew  at  south-south-east  and  was  very  foggy,  with 
which  gale  we  stood  in,  larboard- tacked  west,  till 
ten  o'clock  the  same  forenoon.  Then  had  we  sight 
of  the  land  ahead,  all  along  (for  it  waxed  clear 
weather)  it  showeth  afar  off  like  white  cliffs,  but  is 
all  sandy  hills  and  bays  along  the  sea-side.  At  one 
o'clock  after  noon,  we  were  in  sixteen  fathoms  water 
and  Avithin  half  a  league  of  the  shore,  where  we  saw 
several  fires  made  by  the  Indians  to  give  warning  to 
the  other  people  within  the  land,  as  we  supposed. 
Plat.   Plan  or  map. 


no  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

Then  we  cast  about  and  stood  off  south-east  by  east 
till  midnight  that  the  wind  came  large :  then  we  \\^ent 
our  course  south  by  west  till  next  morning. 

The  14th  day  we  went  our  course  south  by  west, 
having  sight  of  the  land  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
about  seven  leagues  off,  and  so  went  till  six  at  night, 
that  we  saw  land  again  seven  leagues  off  west  and  the 
wind  shifted  to  the  south.  Then  we  cast  about  and 
stood  off  east-south-east  at  seven  at  night  for  a  while: 
when  came  up  the  wind  at  north-west  and  blew  good. 

The  15  th  day,  in  the  morning,  the  admiral  was 
ahead,  as  far  as  we  could  almost  see  her,  by  whose 
default  I  knew  not,  and  being  little  wind,  we  could 
not  get  to  her  till  four  of  the  clock  after  noon;  then 
we  hailed  her  and  stood  in  between  the  south-south- 
west and  the  south-west  till  six  at  night  that  the 
wind  was  variable  and  foul  weather.  Then  we  cast 
about  and  sounded  in  twenty-three  fathoms  soft 
ooze,  and  stood  off  awhile  north-east,  and  presently 
cast  about  again  and  went  south  b\'  east  larboard- 
tacked,  and  south-south-east  among  all  night:  finding 
at  four  in  the  morning  fifteen  fathoms  sand. 

The  20th  day,  about  ten  o'clock  afore  noon  we  went 
aboard  the  admiral,  viz.  Mr.  Walker,  the  master,  the 
pilot,  the  two  merchants  and  myself,  being  directed 
so  to  do  by  the  general.  Upon  our  coming  the  general 
was  going  to  dinner,  where  we  also  dined  with  him. 
Having  dined,  the  general  called  us,  his  assistants, 
into  his  cabin,  and  there  delivered  to  us  in  writing 
two  demands,  to  be  by  us  considered  upon  and  he  to 
have  our  opinions  therein. 

The  effects  of  the  demands  were  these : 

I.  Whether  it  was  best  for  us  to  adventure  ourselves 
to  pass  the  Straits  of  Magellan  or  not,  considering  the 


EDWARD   FENTON  iii 

force  of  the  enemy,  which  we  knew  to  be  there  before 
us,  and  also  that  our  determination  was  there  to  set 
up  our  pinnace,  make  iron  hoops,  careen  our  ships, 
and  do  all  our  necessary  businesses  for  the  full  accom- 
plishment of  our  voyage. 

2.  If  that  course  were  not  thought  best,  which  way 
wore  meetest  for  us  to  take. 

To  the  first  we  were  of  opinion  that  it  were  good 
to  hear  the  opinions  of  Captain  Hawkins,  Captain 
Drake  and  the  two  pilots,  which  had  passed  the  Straits 
and  knew  the  harbours,  and  iikest  places  to  be  fortified, 
and  inhabited  or  not,  who  were  called,  and  the  three 
masters  \\ith  them.  Their  opinions  were  as  diverse 
as  their  names,  and  as  much  differed  as  before  this 
time  they  were  wont  usually  to  do:  only  they  all 
agreed  in  this  one  point,  that  it  was  impossible  for 
us  to  pass  the  Straits  without  seeing,  and  encountering 
with  the  ships,  although  the  fortification  of  the  land 
did  not  annoy  us:  which  being  long  and  thoroughly 
debated,  and  their  opinions  with  the  three  masters 
demanded,  which  accorded  not  scant  any  one  with 
other,  they  were  dismissed. 

Then  the  general  received  the  opinions  of  us  his 
assistants,  beginning  with  the  youngest  in  authority 
first:  which  when  he  had  heard  them  all  over,  and 
being  set  down  in  writing  under  our  hands,  he  took 
deliberation  till  after  supper  to  give  his  determination. 

When  we  had  all  supped,  then  he  sent  for  us  down 
into  his  cabin,  and  dehvered  in  writing  his  determina- 
tion (which  was)  to  victual,  and  furnish  ourselves  on 
this  coast,  before  he  proceeded  any  further :  and  named 
two  places,  the  River  of  Plate,  or  St.  Vincent,  to  be 
chosen. 

For  the  better  deciphering  of  the  River  of  Plate 


112  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

and  the  commodities  thereof,  was  called  before  us 
Richard  Carter,  which  doth  dwell  there:  who  could 
not  assure  us  of  any  wine,  except  we  could  stay  four 
months  for  it:  but  other  victuals  plenty.  The  river 
is  shallow  and  dangerous,  the  road  seven  leagues  from 
any  town,  or  place  of  commodity:  which  considered 
with  the  treachery  that  might  from  thence  be  used, 
into  the  Straits  by  sea,  and  into  Peru  by  land,  we  all 
concluded  to  go  to  St.  Vincent,  which  place  is  in- 
habited by  Portuguese,  and  where  in  honest  sort  we 
might  conveniently  have  all  our  business  done. 

With  this  resolution  we  took  our  leave  about  eight 
o'clock  at  night,  and  being  come  aboard,  presently 
bore  up  and  went  room,  having  all  the  day  before 
beat  up  the  wind  larboard-tacked  east-south-east  till 
at  night :  after  it  was  a  little  wind  all  night  we  went 
north  next-hand. 

The  2ist  day,  after  service,  I  declared  unto  my 
company  the  intention  of  our  return  to  the  port  of 
St.  Vincent,  wherewith  they  were  well-satisfied,  being 
before  doubtful  that  we  should  not  proceed,  but  return 
without  performance  of  our  voyage.  It  continued 
calm  all  day  till  six  at  night,  then  we  went  north-west 
by  west  till  eight  at  night,  and  then  we  cast  about, 
and  stood  off  east-south-east,  and  east  by  south'  all 
night  with  a  good  gale. 

The  22nd  dav  in  the  morning  we  missed  the  Francis, 
which  by  all  presumption  went  room  in  the  beginning 
of  the  night. 

The  25th  day,  being  Christmas  Day,  it  was  little 
wind  in  the  forenoon  till  ten  o'clock;  then  it  blew  a 
fresh  gale,  with  which  we  went  our  course  north- 
north-east.  In  the  afternoon  it  was  less  wind:  yet 
went  we  our  course  north  bv  east,  and  north-north- 


11 


EDWARD   FENTON  113 

east  and  north,  and  north  by  west,  till  midnight.  Then 
being  in  shallow  water  we  cast  about,  and  lay  south - 
south-east,  and  south-east  by  south,  an  hour;  and 
seeing  our  admiral  came  not  after  us,  we  cast  about 
back  again,  and  presently  met  him;  so  we  went  both 
together  next -hand  south-south-east,  all  the  rest  of  the 
ni^ht.  This  afternoon  we  saw  the  skim  of  fishes  so 
thick  in  the  sea,  that  it  seemed  a  water  troubled  with 
trampling  of  horses;  which  was  thick,  and  slimy;  for 
we  had  taken  up  some  of  it. 

The  17th  day  of  Januarv,  about  seven  o'clock,  the 
master,  Master  Blackcoller  and  I  went  in  our  skiff  and 
rowed  and  sounded  round  about  an  isle,  and  found 
sixteen  fathoms  within  a  stone's  cast  hard  aboard  the 
shore,  and  fair  ground:  after  we  landed,  and  found 
nothing  but  woods  and  bushes,  and  strange  worms:  we 
saw  a  falcon  and  one  other  small  bird,  and  therefore 
named  it  Falcon  Isle;  it  is  a  mile  about,  with  a  rock 
on  the  east  side,  which  lieth  close  to  it,  and  it  is  in 
sight  without  danger.  After  we  came  aboard  and  dined ; 
at  two  o'clock  we  set  sail,  with  wind  south-east,  and 
ran  in  north-east  awhile,  till  the  wind  scanted:  then 
we  went  in  north-north-east,  till  we  were  in  seven 
fathoms  and  a  half  of  water,  within  a  league  of  shore : 
then  we  cast  about,  and  stood  off  south-south-east  all 
night,  till  six  o'clock  the  next  morning. 

The  i8th  day  about  three  o'clock  afore  day,  we  saw 
our  admiral  again,  and  kept  her  company  till  dav. 

The  19th  day,  being  within  a  league  of  the  Citron 
Isle,  about  eight  o'clock,  afore  noon,  we  went  aboard 
the  general,  viz.  Master  Walker,  the  master,  the  pilot, 
and  myself,  rejoicing  of  our  good  meeting^,  who  told 
me  of  their  evil  road,  where  they  lost  an  anchor,  a 
cable,  and  a  hawser,  and  how  the  dav  before,  their 


114  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

pinnace  was  ashore  on  the  same  island,  and  fqinid 
fcwl  and  water  there,  whither  now  they  had  sent 
their  boat  and  pinnace  for  more  water,  where  I  know 
they  had  small  store. 

I  also  taking  Captain  Parker,  the  master,  and  Mr. 
Wilks  with  me,  went  ashore,  and  travelled  to  the  top 
of  the  isle,  which  is  wooded,  and  high  grass,  but  evil 
water,  the  little  on  it,  but  young  fowl  plenty,  and 
dangerous  coming  to  them.  By  this  time  (I  having 
set  the  isles  and  headlands  about  in  sight  with  a 
compass)  came  a  small  gale  at  south-south-east:  then 
our  admiral  shot  oft  a  piece  for  the  boats,  and  hence 
I  went,  and  dined  aboard  with  him,  and  came  after 
aboard,  and  went  in  north-north-east  and  north-east 
till  morning:  at  which  time  we  were  within  a  league 
of  the  isle,  entering  before  St.  Vincent,  but  knew  not 
how  much  water  was  upon  the  bore  to  go  out. 

The  2oth  day  in  the  morning,  being  calm,  the 
general's  pinnace  came  in  to  the  shore,  with  intent 
to  sound  the  entrance,  but  seeing  three  canoes,  with 
each  at  the  least  twenty  men,  whereof  the  greater 
part  \vere  naked  Indians,  which  rowed,  the  rest 
Portugals,  they  returned  aboard  again.  The  canoes 
came  with  a  flag  of  truce  within  calling  of  our  ship, 
and  we  showed  them  the  like,  asking  what  we  were, 
and  of  what  nation:  at  length  one  Portuguese  went 
aboard  the  admiral  by  whom  the  general  sent  a  letter 
to  the  governor,  craving  a  pilot  to  bring  in  our  ship 
of  courtesy,  and  to  have  traffic.  About  noon,  having 
the  wind  at  south,  we  bore  in  north-west  and  so  to 
the  north-east,  as  the  channel  trended:  but  coming 
into  seven  fathoms  water  we  anchored,  until  our  boats 
had  sounded  the  bar.  During  which  time,  I  went  aboard 
the  admiral,  to  confer  with  him  about  our  proceedings. 


EDWARD  FENTON  115 

After  I  had  stayed  awhile  aboard  the  admiral,  the 
general  came  aboard  with  me,  where  we  published  unto 
all  my  company  very-  good  rules  for  their  behaviour 
and  profit,  to  their  great  satisfaction:  after  he  went 
down  into  my  cabin,  where  with  all  his  assistants  he 
conferred  of  divers  particulars  of  our  voyage:  by 
which  time  the  boat  being  returned  from  sounding, 
we  departed,  and  set  sail,  following  our  skiffs,  and 
with  our  ships  got  within  the  bar  into  seven  fathoms: 
then  being  becalmed,  we  anchored  again  before  a  sandy 
bay,  wherein  stands  a  castle  and  houses:  we  rode 
within  musket  shot  of  it:  and  anchored  about  four 
o'clock  after  noon. 

Then  I  went  fonvards  with  my  skiff  unto  a  further 
point,  sounding  along.  Before  my  return,  the  general 
had  sent  for  me  to  supper:  and  thither  I  went:  but 
being  ready  to  sit  down,  there  came  out  to  us  a  canoe, 
wherein  were  ten  Indians  and  two  Christians :  the  one 
an  ancient  Genoese,  the  other  a  Portuguese:  who  came 
aboard  and  there  received  a  small  banquet,  declaring 
their  coming  was  to  understand  our  intents,  and  what 
we  sought:  who  being  satisfied,  departed  with  a  fare- 
well of  three  great  pieces  from  each  ship. 

The  31st  day  about  three  o'clock  after  noon,  came 
a  canoe,  with  the  old  Genoese  named  Joseph  Dor\',  a 
Fleming  named  Paul  Badeves  and  Steven  Repose, 
a  Portuguese,  and  brought  a  letter  from  the  governor, 
and  withal,  answer  of  fear  and  doubts  of  us,  etc. 
After  many  speeches  and  requests,  a  banquet  was 
made  them,  and  the  general  in  his  pinnace  with  his 
music  and  trumpets,  and  I  in  my  skiff  with  trumpets, 
dnim  and  fife  and  tabor  and  pipe,  accompanied  them 
a  mile  up  the  river :  at  going  off,  we  saluted  them  with 
a  voile}-  of  three  great  pieces  out  of  each  ship;    and 


ii6  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

after  us  came  Captain  Parker  with  the  admiral's  long- 
boat and  certain  shot  in  the  same,  to  attend  on  the 
general. 

The  22nd  day  betimes  in  the  morning,  I  went  aboard 
the  admiral  to  confer  about  the  sending  of  some  token 
and  present  to  the  governor,  which  was  by  all  the 
assistants  determined  to  send  him  three  yards  of  fine 
scarlet  and  three  yards  of  fine  murrey  cloth;  and  to 
Joseph  Dory  the  old  Genoese,  Steven  Repose  the 
Portuguese,  and  to  Paul  Badeves  the  Fleming,  each 
of  them  three  3'ards  of  fine  black  cloth,  which  our 
merchants  went  up  to  Santos  withal  in  the  admiral's 
skiff,  about  nine  o'clock  afore  noon. 

Also  this  forenoon,  we  being  minded  to  go  up  higher 
with  our  ships  into  harbour,  I  advised  them  to  go 
view  the  place,  and  sound  the  road  before  we  went 
up;  which  we  did:  where  were  found  the  place  both 
inconvenient  and  the  road  worse;  and  so  we  returned, 
and  left  the  first  determination.  This  day  we  took 
down  our  main-tops  and  topmast,  and  all  the  shrouds. 

About  two  o'clock  after  noon  our  merchants  returned 
with  their  presents,  not  having  been  at  the  town, 
because  Steven  Repose  by  the  way  met  them  on  the 
river,  and  advised  them  to  stay  until  there  had  been 
word  sent  to  the  governor,  who  was  unwilling  to  speak 
with  them  yet,  but  shortly  would  send  their  answer. 

The  rest  of  this  forenoon  we  spent  in  communication 
about  the  appointing  of  a  purser  for  the  Edward.  Also 
we  signed  an  assent  for  coming  to  this  place:  about 
which  thing  grew  foul  speeches  between  the  general 
and  his  lieutenant,  after  the  old  custom. 

Then  went  we  to  supper:  and  being  at  supper, 
certain  Indians  came  aboard,  and  brought  the  general 
Murrey.    Mulberry-coloured. 


EDWARD   FENTON  117 

a  strange  crow,  and  potatoes,  and  sugar-canes,  to  whom 
he  gave  looking-glasses,  great  pins,  and  biscuit:  and 
so  we  departed,  being  late.  Also  this  afternoon  I  ran 
over  towards  St.  Vincent,  and  sounded  the  bay  a 
league  over,  and  found  the  channel  and  flats,  and 
returned  aboard  again  within  two  hours,  having  a 
good  gale  of  wind. 

The  23rd  day  our  skiff  went  ashore  to  fish,  and  took 
pretty  store:  we  sent  our  main-top  ashore  to  be 
mended,  and  many  of  our  men  to  wash  their  clothes; 
also  I  went  myself  with  them  a-land,  to  take  order 
that  no  man  should  anyways  offend  the  Indians.  In 
the  meantime,  the  general  with  all  the  rest  of  the 
chiefest  gentlemen,  came  ashore,  and  viewed  the  place, 
and  pointed  out  the  fittest  room  to  set  up  our  smith's 
forge,  and  ovens  to  bake  our  biscuit,  and  place  for  our 
coopers  to  trim  our  water-cask. 

The  24th  day  at  four  of  the  clock,  before  day,  we 
heard  one  call  for  a  boat  on  the  north  shore,  to  whom 
I  sent  my  skiff,  who  brought  aboard  one  named  John 
Whithall,  an  Englishman,  which  is  married  here  in  this 
place,  and  with  him  tw^o  of  his  Indians:  whom  I 
entertained  until  I  sent  word  to  the  general  to  prepare 
himself  to  receive  him :  in  which  time  he  and  I  talked 
of  many  several  particulars. 

About  six  o'clock  I  conveyed  him  aboard  the 
admiral:  there  he  discovered  unto  us  what  had  been 
done  at  the  town,  as  fortification,  and  sending  their 
wives  away,  etc.,  advising  us  to  receive  no  more  delays, 
but  to  come  up  presently  before  the  town  with  our 
ships. 

About  ten  o'clock  came  a  canoe,  and  brought  down 
Joseph  Dory  and  Steven  Repose,  who  told  us  that  on 
Saturday  the  governor  would  meet  our  general,  and 


Ii8  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

talk  ^vith  him,  praying  us  in  the  meantime  to  use  our 
ordinary  business  of  cooperage,  carpenters'  work, 
filling  water,  fishing  and  washing,  etc.,  but  not  to  set 
up  forge,  nor  oven,  until  speech  had  with  the  governor. 
After  this  answer,  we  dined  together  aboard  the 
galleon ;  after  dinner  we  left  the  messengers  sitting  in 
the  cabin  and  went  upon  the  poop ;  where  the  general 
demanded  the  advice  of  his  assistants,  whether  it  were 
not  best  to  stay  these  men  while  we  had  them  or  not, 
or  whether  it  w^re  best  to  go  up  with  our  ships  to  the 
town  or  no. 

Whereunto  each  man  paused  to  make  answer: 
wherefore  I  delivered  my  opinion;  which  was,  that 
we  were  forbidden  to  use  violence  to  any  nation  for 
trade. 

Secondly,  I  considered  that  divers  of  our  nation, 
worshipful  merchants,  and  now  adventurers  in  this 
voyage,  had  sent  out  the  Minion  hither,  and  begun  a 
trade,  which  with  our  forcible  deahng  might  be  spoilt, 
and  our  nation  brought  in  hatred. 

Lastly,  that  with  force  we  were  not  like  to  attain  so 
much  commodity,  as  we  were  in  possibility  to  have 
with  courtesy. 

Hereupon  all  was  concluded,  and  they  suffered  to 
pass  away:  to  whom  the  general  gave  the  three  cloak- 
cloths,  to  Joseph  Dory,  to  Paul  Badevese,  and  to 
Steven  Repose,  to  each  of  them  one,  which  were  before 
cut  out  for  them :  and  so  friendly  we  and  they  departed 
about  two  o'clock  after  noon. 

About  four  of  the  clock  this  afternoon  we  saw  three 
sail  of  ships  come  bearing  in  about  the  point,  which  as 
soon  as  they  saw  us,  anchored  upon  the  bar,  and  put 
themselves  in  readiness,  sending  from  one  ship  to 
another  with  their  boats,  and  blowing  off  their  ordin- 


EDWARD  FENTON  119 

ance,  meaning  to  take  us:  and  we  before  night,  getting 
our  men  and  other  necessaries  from  the  shore,  which 
were  busy  on  land,  aiTaed  our  ships  to  defend  our- 
selves. Then  went  I  aboard  the  admiral  to  know  what 
he  meant  to  do:  who  determined  to  set  his  watch  in 
warlike  sort ;  and  so  he  did :  for  after  the  trumpets  and 
drum  had  sounded,  he  shot  off  a  great  piece,  as  thev 
before  had  done;  and  presently  the  \ace-admiral  shot 
at  me,  whom  I  answered  \nth  another  and  so  ceased. 

We  then  set  up  our  main-top  and  topmast,  rigged 
before  eleven  of  the  clock  the  same  night.  In  the 
meanwhile  they  let  slip  their  anchors  and  cables,  and 
came  driving  and  to\ving  with  their  boats  in  upon  us, 
meaning  to  have  boarded  us;  and  being  near  our 
admiral,  he  hailed  them,  who  refused  to  tell  of  whence 
they  were,  thinking  by  spending  of  time  to  get  aboard 
of  him,  to  whom  I  called  still  to  beware,  and  to  shoot 
at  them  in  time. 

At  length  he  let  fiy  at  them,  yet  was  glad  to  let  an 
anchor  and  cable  slip  to  avoid  them:  then  came  the}' 
all  driving  down  thwart  my  hawser,  so  that  I  was  fain 
to  let  slip  an  anchor  and  cable  to  shun  the  galleon.  All 
this  while  the  ordinance  and  small  shot  plied  of  all 
parts,  and  I  was  fain  to  send  the  galleon  my  skiff  \>-ith 
a  hawser  to  ride  by,  for  she  was  loose,  and  with  the 
Hood  drove  up  within  me.  Then  was  the  \ice-admiral 
on  m\-  broadside,  who  was  well-paid  before,  \'et  I  left 
not  galling  of  him,  till  I  thought  our  powder  spent  in 
vain  to  shoot  at  him,  he  was  so  torn,  and  broken  do\\Ti 
by  us.  About  four  of  the  clock  it  rained  so  fast,  that  we 
could  scant  discern  one  the  other,  the  moon  being  gone 
down,  yet  rode  the  admiral,  and  the  rear-admiral,  but 
a  httle  ahead  of  us,  during  which  time  we  paused,  and 
made  readv  all  our  munition. 


120  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

The  25th  day,  by  daylight,  we  saw  the  vice-admiral 
sunk  hard  b}^  us,  so  that  his  yards  which  were  hoisted 
across,  and  his  tops,  and  that  overhead,  was  above 
water;  most  of  their  men  were  gotten  away  in  their 
boats,  saving  about  forty  persons  which  hung  in  the 
shrouds  and  tops,  whom  I  advised  our  general  to  send 
for  aw^ay,  and  had  made  ready,  and  well-manned  our 
pinnaces;  but  being  upon  the  way  going,  the  general 
called  them  back,  and  would  not  suffer  them  to  go. 

There  were  three  of  their  boats  also  going  for  them 
from  their  ships;  at  w^hom  I  shot,  and  made  them  to 
retire,  and  leave  them  upon  the  shrouds.  At  length  our 
general  sent  for  two  of  the  men  away:  which  his 
pinnace  brought  to  him;  the  one  was  heaved  over- 
board, because  he  was  sore  hurt,  not  like  to  live;  and 
he  was  a  MarsilHan :  the  other  was  a  Greek,  born  in 
Zante,  boatswain  of  the  vice-admiral;  the  rest  of  the 
men,  some  swam  away  upon  rafts,  some  were  drowned, 
and  some  remained  still  hanging  on  her. 

By  this  time  it  was  fair  daylight,  and  I  called  to  our 
general  to  weigh,  and  drive  down  to  them,  who  required 
me  to  go  first,  and  anchor  on  their  quarter,  and  he 
would  follow  and  anchor  on  their  bows.  I  weighed,  and 
went  down  and  anchored  by  them ;  yet  not  so  near  as  I 
meant,  for  the  ebb  put  me  off  to  the  northwards.  There 
rode  I  alone,  spending  shot  at  them,  and  they  both  at 
me,  four  hours,  before  our  admiral's  anchor  would  come 
up,  during  which  time  I  had  some  spoil  done;  but 
when  our  admiral  came,  she  had  her  part  and  eased  me 
very  well. 

At  length  our  admiral  began  to  warp  away,  and 
being  come  without  me,  set  sail,  and  began  to  stand 
out  into  the  sea.  I  went  aboard  of  him  to  know  his 
pleasure;    who  determined  to  get  out  of  shot;    but 


EDWARD   FENTON  121 

could  not,  because  the  wind  scanted  on  them.  The 
Edward  before  she  could  get  up  her  anchors,  endured 
many  more  shot,  after  the  galleon  was  further  oft  a 
good  way  than  she,  and  sometime  the  galleon  had  two 
or  three.  Thus  we  ended  about  two  of  the  clock  after 
noon:  the  rest  of  this  day  and  part  of  the  night,  we 
spent  in  mending,  fitting,  and  putting  our  ordinance 
and  furniture  in  order  for  the  next  morning,  thinking 
they  would  have  been  with  us. 

The  26th  day  in  the  morning  we  could  not  see  them, 
because  they  were  gone  up  the  river;  we  manned  our 
boats  and  pinnaces,  and  weighed  two  anchors  and  one 
cable  that  they  let  sHp  the  night  before:  as  our  men 
w^ere  weighing  the  third  anchor  the  buoy-rope  broke, 
and  so  we  lost  that  anchor.  'Our  admiral  had  an 
anchor  about  six  hundred,  with  a  piece  of  a  bass  cable, 
and  buoy-rope  nothing  worth. 

After  dinner  I  went  aboard  the  admiral  to  confer 
with  him,  who  determined  to  go  off  to  sea,  and  thither 
I  carried  Sefior  Pinto  to  interpret  the  Indian  language, 
with  an  Indian  named  Peter,  which  fled  from  the  bay 
where  we  rode  in  a  canoe,  and  brought  with  him  a 
Spaniard's  caliver,  flask  and  touch-box,  to  go  with 
us,  whom  our  admiral's  boat  met,  and  brought  him 
aboard  to  the  admiral.  He  told  us  that  the  Spaniards 
had  brought  many  dead  men  on  land,  and  buried 
them,  and  also  landed  many  hurt  men  in  their  bay, 
and  that  there  were  certain  Spaniards  gone  over 
through  the  woods  to  look  after  us.  Then  the  general, 
Captain  Hawkins,  and  ^Master  Maddox  came  aboard 
of  me  to  view  my  hurt  men,  and  arms  of  my  ship, 
both  men,  ship  and  tackle ;  and  I  also  went  aboard  him 
to  peruse  his  hurts,  who  had  but  one  man,  a  sailor,  slain. 

The  28th  day  in  the  morning  died  Lancelot  Ashe. 


122  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

of  a  hurt;  who  departed  very  godly.  This  day  we 
stood  to  the  northwards ;  and  in  getting  in  our  anchors 
and  skiff,  we  were  put  three  leagues  to  leeward  of 
Fiddle  Isle,  but  the  galleon  rode  still. 

The  29th  day  in  the  morning,  seeing  myself  put  to 
sea  from  the  admiral,  I  assembled  Master  Walker, 
Master  Shawe,  Master  Jeffries,  the  master,  the  master's 
mate,  and  the  pilot,  to  whom  I  showed  that  I  was 
desirous  to  go  back  to  seek  our  admiral,  whereunto 
the  master,  pilot  and  master's  mate  answered  directly, 
that  we  could  not  fetch  the  isle  where  we  left  them, 
and  to  meet  them  in  going  back  it  was  very  unlikely 
and  to  us  dangerous  many  wa3/s,  as  well  for  falling 
into  the  laps  of  the  Spaniards,  as  to  be  put  on  a  lee- 
shore:  whereupon  all  the  rest  advised  me  to  stand 
off  into  the  sea,  whereunto  I  assented,  remembering 
withal  that  time  spent  consumed  victual,  and  how  long 
we  had  beaten  up  and  down  in  the  same  ba}'  before, 
to  get  in  with  calms  and  contrary  winds. 

Thus  we  concluded  that  Mr.  Walker  should  set  down 
each  man's  opinion,  and  we  set  to  our  hands  and  from 
henceforth  he  to  keep  a  register  of  all  our  proceeding, 
as  Mr.  Maddox  did  aboard  the  admiral. 

The  ist  day  of  February,  we  went  east  by  south 
and  east-south-east  with  a  stout  gale;  and  went  the 
same  course  the  3rd,  4th  and  5th  days  following. 

The  5th  day  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  Mr. 
Walker  died,  who  had  been  weak  and  sick  six  days; 
we  took  a  view  of  his  things,  and  prized  them,  and 
heaved  him  overboard,  and  shot  a  piece  for  his  knell. 

The  14th  day  I  called  into  my  cabin  the  two  mer- 
chants, the  master  and  the  pilot,  showing  them  our 
wants  of  victuals  and  other  necessaries;  whereupon 
they  and  I  concluded  that  it  was  best  for  us  to  return 


I 


EDWARD   FENTON  123 

to  our  country,  with  as  little  loss  of  time  and  expense 
of  victuals  as  might  be,  being  without  hope  of  relief 
upon  this  coast,  and  yet  to  keep  the  coast  of  Brazil 
to  friend  for  fear  of  extremity. 

The  17th  day  in  the  morning,  havang  much  rain,  we 
saved  above  two  ton  of  water,  of  which  we  were  very 
glad. 

The  iSth  day  I  observed  the  variation  of  the  com- 
pass, which  varied  one  point  and  a  half  to  the  south- 
wards by  our  ordinary  compass  of  London. 

The  2nd  day  of  March,  the  master,  pilot  and  I 
agreed  to  fetch  the  isle  of  Fernando  Loronha. 

From  the  3rd  day  to  the  loth  day  we  went  west 
and  by  south,  and  ran  in  for  the  shore. 

The  loth  day  we  saw  the  land,  which  was  sandy 
hills  with  woods  on  it. 

The  nth  day  seeking  to  go  a-hore,  we  saw  four 
men,  which  waved  to  us  with  a  white  shirt,  and  we 
waved  to  them  with  a  flag  of  truce.  At  length  one  of 
them  swam  to  our  boat's  side,  and  there  lay  in  the 
sea  talking  with  us,  almost  an  hour:  in  the  end,  being 
partly  persuaded  by  Pinto,  who  talked  with  them  in 
the  Indian  tongue,  and  partly  enticed  with  such  trifles 
as  I  showed  him,  he  came  into  our  skiff,  and  called  to 
his  companions  on  shore,  who  came  aboard  swimming. 
We  delivered  them  certain  barricoes  to  fetch  us  them 
full  of  fresh  water:  after,  there  came  down  forty 
Indians,  boys,  women  and  men,  and  with  them  a 
French  boy,  but  the  former  Indians  deceived  us  of 
our  barricoes.  Whereupon  Pinto  and  Russell  swam 
ashore  to  seek  water,  but  found  none. 

The  same  day  we  sailed  to  a  place  where  boats 
might  land  and  I  went  a-land  in  my  skiff,  and  found 
Barricoes.  Small  casks  or  barrels. 


124  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  Indians  and  Frenchman  which  were  with  me  the 
day  before,  and  they  brought  our  three  barricoes  full 
of  fresh  water:  for  which  I  rewarded  them  with  some 
trifles.  In  the  meantime  our  boat  went  ashore,  and 
our  men  with  some  of  the  Indians  brought  us  twenty 
barricoes  more  of  fresh  water  and  I  myself  went  to 
shore  and  brought  twenty-three  hens  of  India. 

The  1 2th  day  betimes  in  the  morning,  we  manned 
our  boat  and  skiff  and  took  some  trifling  things  to 
shore  and  barricoes;  at  our  first  arrival  the  rude 
Indians  flocked  together,  wading  to  the  skiff  wherein 
I  was,  begging  and  wondering  about  us.  First  I 
caused  them  to  fetch  twenty-seven  barricoes  of  water, 
whom  I  rewarded  with  small  bells,  etc.  In  the  mean- 
time, they  brought  hens  to  me,  wading  to  the  skiff, 
for  I  kept  myself  always  afloat,  and  for  their  hens  I 
gave  them  a  knife,  and  a  small  looking-glass.  All 
this  while  Mr.  BlackcoUer,  our  pilot,  Thomas  Russell, 
Mark  Thawghts  were  still  on  shore,  and  would  not 
tarry  aboard;  in  the  end,  fearing  some  treachery, 
because  all  the  Indians  were  slipped  on  shore  from  me, 
I  called  our  men  away,  and  suddenly  they  laid  hands 
on  our  men  ashore,  and  with  their  bows  shot  thick  at 
us  in  the  boats,  and  waded  into  the  water  to  us,  la3ang 
hands  on  our  skiff,  yet  God  of  His  mercy  delivered  us 
from  their  hands,  with  the  loss  of  five  men  slain  and 
others  hurt. 

Thus  we  got  aboard  with  forty  hens,  ducks,  turkeys 
and  parrots,  and  three  hogsheads  of  water;  and  I 
carried  a  Frenchman  aboard  with  me,  named  Jaques 
Humfrey,  who  was  by  chance  in  the  boat  wath  me  when 
this  fray  began. 

The  17th  day  we  took  three  sharks  in  the  morning. 

From  that  day  to  the  ist  of  April,  we  went  our 


EDWARD   FENTON  125 

course,  sometime  with  rain,  and  sometime  with  vari- 
able winds,  and  so  till  the  4th  of  April;  which  day  we 
saw  four  birds  with  long  tails,  which  hovered  about 
the  ship,  and  in  the  afternoon  we  saw  and  took  up 
many  weeds  which  drove  thick  in  the  sea,  which  we 
judged  to  be  driven  with  the  east  winds  from  the  isles 
of  Cape  Verde. 

From  this  day  till  the  nth  day  we  went  our  course 
sometimes  north-east,  sometime  north-wt-.^t  according 
to  the  winds:  upon  this  nth  day  George  Cox,  one  of 
our  carpenters,  having  the  night  before  broken  up  the 
hold  and  stolen  wine,  and  drunken  himself  drunk, 
being  taken  in  the  room,  leapt  overboard  out  of  the 
beak-head  and  so  drowned  himself. 

The  1 2th  day  we  spied  our  foremast  to  be  perished 
in  the  hownes  and  durst  not  bear  our  fore-topsail 
upon  it,  but  went  hence  with  our  sails,  next  hand, 
north  all  day  and  night. 

From  hence  to  the  20th  day  we  went  north-east  and 
by  north.  This  day  I  observed  the  \-ariation  of  the 
compass,  and  I  noted  that  the  south  point  of  the 
compass  carried  more  than  half  a  point  to  the  west- 
wards. 

The  25th  day  of  May  we  went  between  the  east- 
north-east  and  the  north-east  with  a  small  gale  till 
five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon;  then  had  we  sight  of 
land,  which  rose  ragged  to  the  northwards  like  broken 
land,  we  being  about  five  leagues  off:  that  isle  bare 
north-east  by  north  of  us  and  the  northernmost  part 
bare  north  by  east  of  us,  with  a  rock  a-seaboard :  we 
then  sounded  and  had  fifty  and  ftve  fathoms  grey  sand, 
and  maze  great  store  in  it ;   so  we  stood  in  north-east 

Hownes.    The  top  portion. 
Maze.    Small  shells. 


126  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

till  eight  o'clock,  and  then  beheld  it  again  being  within 
four  leagues  of  it,  bearing  as  before,  but  we  could  not 
make  it,  for  some  thought  it  to  be  the  foreland  of 
Fontenay,  some  judged  it  the  isle  of  Ushant;  then  we 
sounded  again  fifty- five  fathoms  brown  sand,  and 
little  maze  in  it;  at  eight  o'clock  at  night  we  went 
about,  and  stood  off  south-south-west  one  watch,  then 
the  wind  shrunk  to  the  south-west,  that  we  could  lie 
but  south-south-west  six  glasses,  so  that  at  three 
o'clock  we  cast  about,  and  lay  north-west  six  glasses 
and  north-north-west  a  watch,  being  then  eight  o'clock 
the  next  day. 

The  26th  day  we  lay  as  nigh  as  we  could  between 
the  north  and  the  north-north-east  and  saw  the  same 
land  again,  and  made  it  to  be  the  foreland  of  Fontenay, 
and  the  rocks  to  be  the  Seams,  which  bare  now  east- 
north-east  of  us,  and  we  stood  on  till  ten  o'clock,  then 
being  within  two  leagues  of  the  rocks  and  less,  we  cast 
about  and  stood  oS  south-west,  because  we  could 
not  double  the  uttermost  rocks;  when  we  were  about 
we  drove  to  the  southwards  very  fast,  for  the  ebb 
set  us  west-south-west,  and  being  spring  tides,  it 
horsed  us  apace  to  leewards,  for  the  space  of  one 
hour;  then  with  the  flood  which  was  come,  we  drove 
again  to  windwards:  at  twelve  at  noon  it  was  calm 
till  six  after  noon,  then  we  stood  about  larboard- 
tacked,  south-south-west  one  watch,  then  at  mid- 
night we  cast  about  and  stood  over  north  till  four 
afore  noon. 

The  27th  day  having  brought  the  land  east-south- 
east of  us,  we  made  it  to  be  Scilly,  being  before 
deceived,  and  went  hence  east  by  north  to  double 
Grimsby,  leaving  the  Bishop  and  his  Clerks  to  the 
south-westwards,  which  we  before  took  to  be  the  Seams. 


EDWARD   FENTON  127 

At  seven  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  we  saw  the  Land's 
End  of  England,  which  bare  east  by  north  off  ifs,  and 
is  seven  leagues  off  from  Scilly. 

The  29th  day  at  six  o'clock,  before  noon,  we  had 
brought  the  Ramehead  north  of  us,  and  were  within 
a  league  of  it,  and  went  in  north-east  next  hand,  being 
thick  and  foggy,  and  little  wind;  so  that  at  eleven 
o'clock  we  got  in  within  the  island,  and  there  by 
mistaking  of  a  sounding,  our  ship  came  aground 
between  the  isle  and  the  main,  and  there  sat  till  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  that  it  was  half  flood. 

The  30th  day  about  nine  o'clock,  with  much  ado,  I 
furnished  away  P.  Jeffries,  Mr.  S\Tnberbe,  and  William 
Towreson  with  letters,  after  dined  at  Mr.  BlackcoUer's 
and  made  many  salutations  \nth  divers  gentlemen. 

The  2ist  I  wTOught  aboard  all  day  and  put  our  ship 
and  things  in  order.  After  noon  I  having  pity  of  some 
poor  men  of  Milbrooke,  which  were  robbed  the  night 
before  by  a  pirate  named  Purser,  which  rode  in  Caw- 
sand  Bay,  I  consented  to  go  out  with  the  Edward  in 
company  of  a  small  ship  which  the\'  had  furnished 
to  be  their  master,  so  about  live  of  the  clock  in  the 
afternoon,  came  a  hundred  men  of  theirs  aboard  of 
me.  About  twelve  o'clock  we  set  sail,  and  by  three 
afore  day  we  were  gotten  to  the  windwards  of  him; 
then  he  set  sail,  and  went  hence  to  the  eastwards  and 
outsailed  us,  because  our  consort  would  not  come 
near  him;  after  a  small  chase  which  we  gave  him  to 
no  effect,  we  returned  into  our  old  road,  and  there 
moored  the  ship  about  nine  of  the  clock  in  the  fore- 
noon, and  hence  went  all  the  Milbrooke  men  again 
ashore  from  me.  And  thus  I  ended  a  troublesome 
voyage. 


A  report  of  the  voyage  and  success  thereof,  attempted 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1583  hy  Sir  Humphrey 
Gilbert,  knight,  with  other  gentlemen  assisting  him 
in  that  action,  intended  to  discover  and  to  plant 
Christian  inhabitants  in  place  convenient,  upon 
those  large  and  ample  countries  extended  northward 
from  the  Cape  of  Florida,  lying  under  very  temper- 
ate climes,  esteemed  fertile  and  rich  in  minerals,  yet 
not  in  the  actual  possession  of  any  Christian  prince, 
written  by  M.  Edward  Hayes,  gentleman,  and 
principal  actor  in  the  same  voyage,  who  alone 
continued  unto  the  end,  and  by  God's  special  assist- 
ance returned  home  with  his  retinue  safe  and  entire. 

Orders  determined,  and  promises  mutually  given 
to  be  observed,  every  man  withdrew  himself  unto  his 
charge,  the  anchors  being  already  weighed,  and  our 
ships  under  sail,  having  a  soft  gale  of  wind,  we  began 
our  voyage  upon  Tuesday  the  nth  day  of  June,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  1583,  having  in  our  fleet  (at  our 
departure  from  Cawsand  Bay  near  unto  Plymouth) 
these  ships,  whose  names  and  burthen  with  the  names 
of  the  captains  and  masters  of  them,  I  have  also 
inserted,  as  followeth: 

I.  The  Delight,  aUas  the  George,  of  burthen  120 
tons,  was  admiral:  in  which  went  the  general,  and 
Wilham  Winter,  captain  in  her  and  part  owner,  and 
Richard  Clarke,  master. 

128 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  129 

2.  The  barque  Raleigh  set  forth  by  M.  Walter 
Raleigh,  of  the  burthen  of  200  tons,  was  then  vice- 
admiral:  in  which  went  M.  Butler,  captain,  and  Robert 
Davis,  of  Bristol,  master. 

3.  The  Golden  Hind,  of  burthen  40  tons,  was  then 
rear-admiral:  in  which  went  Edward  Hayes,  captain 
and  owner,  and  William  Cox,  of  Limehouse,  master. 

4.  The  Swallow,  of  burthen  40  tons:  in  her  was 
Captain  Maurice  Browne. 

5.  The  Squirrel,  of  burthen  10  tons:  in  which  went 
Captain  William  Andrews,  and  one  Cade,  master. 

We  were  in  number  in  all  about  260  men:  among 
whom  we  had  of  every  faculty  good  choice,  as  ship- 
wrights, masons,  carpenters,  smiths,  and  such-hke, 
requisite  to  such  an  action:  also  mineral  men  and 
refiners.  Besides,  for  solace  of  our  people,  and  allure- 
ment of  the  savages,  we  were  provided  of  music  in 
good  variety:  not  omitting  the  least  toys,  as  morris 
dancers,  hobby-horse,  and  MayUke  conceits  to  dehght 
the  savage  people,  whom  we  intended  to  win  by  all 
fair  means  possible.  And  to  that  end  we  were  in- 
differently furnished  of  all  petty  haberdashery  wares 
to  barter  with  those  simple  people. 

In  this  manner  we  set  forward,  departing  (as  hath 
been  said)  out  of  Cawsand  Bay  the  nth  day  of  June 
being  Tuesday,  the  weather  and  wind  fair  and  good 
all  day,  but  a  great  storm  of  thunder  and  wind  fell 
the  same  night. 

Thursday  following,  when  we  hailed  one  another 
in  the  evening  (according  to  the  order  before  specified) 
they  signified  unto  us  out  of  the  vice-admiral,  that 
both  the  captain,  and  very  many  of  the  men  were 
fallen  sick.  And  about  midnight  the  \4ce-admiral 
forsook  us,  notwithstanding  we  had  the  wind  east, 

E 


130  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

fair  and  good.  But  it  was  after  credibly  reported,  that 
they  were  infected  with  a  contagious  sickness,  and 
arrived  greatly  distressed  at  Plymouth:  the  reason 
I  could  never  understand.  Sure  I  am,  no  cost  was 
spared  by  their  owner  Master  Raleigh  in  setting  them 
forth.    Therefore  I  leave  it  unto  God. 

By  this  time  we  were  in  48  degrees  of  latitude,  not 
a  little  grieved  with  the  loss  of  the  most  puissant  ship 
in  our  fleet:  after  whose  departure,  the  Golden  Hind 
succeeded  in  the  place  of  vice-admiral,  and  removed 
her  flag  from  the  mizzen  unto  the  foretop. 

From  Saturday  the  15th  of  June  until  the  28th, 
which  was  upon  a  Friday,  we  never  had  fair  day 
without  fog  or  rain,  and  winds  bad,  much  to  the  west- 
north-west,  whereby  we  were  driven  southward  unto 
41  degrees  scarce. 

About  this  time  of  the  year  the  winds  are  commonly 
west  towards  the  Newfoundland,  keeping  ordinarily 
within  two  points  of  west  to  the  south  or  to  the  north, 
whereby  the  course  thither  falleth  out  to  be  long  and 
tedious  after  June,  which  in  March,  April  and  May, 
hath  been  performed  out  of  England  in  twenty-two 
days  and  less.  We  had  wind  always  so  scant  from 
west-north-west,  and  from  west-south-west  again, 
that  our  traverse  was  great,  running  south  into  41 
degrees  almost,  and  aftei-ward  north  into  51  degrees. 

Also  we  were  encumbered  with  much  fog  and  mists 
in  manner  palpable,  in  which  we  could  not  keep  so 
well  together,  but  were  dissevered,  losing  the  company 
of  the  Swallow  and  the  Squirrel  upon  the  20th  day  of 
July,  whom  we  met  again  at  several  places  upon  the 
Newfoundland  coast  the  3rd  of  August,  as  shall  be 
declared  in  place  convenient. 

Saturday  the  27th  of  July,  we  might  descry  not 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  131 

far  from  us,  as  it  were  mountains  of  ice  driven  upon 
the  sea,  being  then  in  50  degrees,  which  were  carried 
southward  to  the  weather  of  us:  whereby  may  be 
conjectured  that  some  current  doth  set  that  way  from 
the  north. 

Before  we  come  to  Newfoundland  about  fift\-  leagues 
on  this  side,  we  pass  the  Bank,  which  are  high  grounds 
rising  within  the  sea  and  under  water,  yet  deep  enough 
and  without  danger,  being  commonly  not  less  than 
twenty-five  and  thirty  fathom  water  upon  them: 
the  same  (as  it  were  some  vane  of  mountains  within 
the  sea)  do  run  along,  and  from  the  Newfoundland, 
beginning  northward  about  52  and  53  degrees  of 
latitude,  and  do  extend  into  the  south  infinitely. 

The  breadth  of  this  bank  is  somewhere  more,  and 
somewhere  less:  but  we  found  the  same  about  ten 
leagues  over,  having  sounded  both  on  this  side  thereof, 
and  the  other  toward  Newfoundland,  but  found  no 
ground  with  almost  two  hundred  fathom  of  line, 
both  before  and  after  we  had  passed  the  Bank.  The 
Portugals,  and  French  chiefly,  have  a  notable  trade 
of  fishing  upon  this  bank,  where  are  sometimes  an 
hundred  or  more  sails  of  ships:  who  commonly  begin 
the  fishing  in  April,  and  have  ended  in  July.  That  fish 
is  large,  always  wet,  having  no  land  near  to  dr\-,  and 
is  called  Corre  fish. 

During  the  time  of  fishing,  a  man  shall  know  without 
sounding  when  he  is  upon  the  Bank,  by  the  incredible 
multitude  of  sea  fowl  hovering  over  the  same,  to  prey 
upon  the  offals  and  garbage  of  fish  thrown  out  by 
fishermen,  and  floating  upon  the  sea. 

Upon  Tuesday  the  nth  of  June,  we  forsook  the  coast 
of  England.  So  again  Tuesday,  the  30th  of  July  (seven 
weeks  after),  we  got  sight  of  land,  being  immediately 


132  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

embayed  in  the  Grand  Bay,  or  some  other  great 
bay:  the  certainty  whereof  we  could  not  judge,  so 
great  haze  and  fog  did  hang  upon  the  coast,  as  neither 
we  might  discern  the  land  well,  nor  take  the  sun's 
height.  But  by  our  best  computation  we  were  then 
in  51  degrees  of  latitude. 

Forsaking  this  bay  and  uncomfortable  coast  (nothing 
appearing  unto  us  but  hideous  rocks  and  mountains, 
bare  of  trees,  and  void  of  any  green  herb)  we  followed 
the  coast  to  the  south,  with  weather  fair  and  clear. 

We  had  sight  of  an  island  named  Penguin,  of  a  fowl 
there  breeding  in  abundance,  almost  incredible,  which 
cannot  fly,  their  wings  not  able  to  carry  their  body, 
being  very  large  (not  much  less  than  a  goose)  and 
exceeding  fat:  which  the  Frenchmen  use  to  take 
without  difficulty  upon  that  island,  and  to  barrel  them 
up  with  salt.  But  for  lingering  of  time  we  had  made 
us  there  the  like  provision. 

Trending  this  coast,  we  came  to  the  island  called 
Baccalaos,  being  not  past  two  leagues  from  the  main: 
to  the  south  thereof  lieth  Cape  S.  Francis,  five  leagues 
distant  from  Baccalaos,  between  which  goeth  in  a 
great  bav,  by  the  \ailgar  sort  called  the  Bay  of  Con- 
ception. Here  we  met  with  the  Swallow  again,  whom 
we  had  lost  in  the  fog,  and  all  her  men  altered  into 
other  apparel:  whereof  it  seemed  their  store  was  so 
amended,  that  for  jo}^  and  congratulation  of  our  meet- 
ing, they  spared  not  to  cast  up  into  the  air  and  over- 
board, their  caps  and  hats  in  good  plenty. 

The  captain  albeit  himself  was  very  honest  and 
religious,  yet  was  he  not  appointed  of  men  to  his 
humour  and  desert :  who  for  the  most  part  were  such 
as  had  been  by  us  surprised  upon  the  narrow  seas  of 
England,  being  pirates  and  had  taken  at  that  instant 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  133 

certain  Frenchmen  laden,  one  barque  with  wines, 
and  another  with  salt.  Both  which  we  rescued,  and 
took  the  man-of-war  with  all  her  men,  which  was  the 
same  ship  now  called  the  Swallow,  following  still  their 
kind  so  oft,  as  (being  separated  from  the  general) 
they  found  opportunity  to  rob  and  spoil.  And  because 
God's  justice  did  follow  the  same  company,  even  to 
destruction,  and  to  the  overthrow  also  of  the  captain 
(though  not  consenting  to  their  misdemeanour)  I  will 
not  conceal  anything  that  maketh  to  the  manifesta- 
tion and  approbation  of  his  judgments,  for  examples 
of  others,  persuaded  that  God  more  sharply  took 
revenge  upon  them,  and  hath  tolerated  longer  as 
great  outrage  in  others:  by  how  much  these  went 
under  protection  of  His  cause  and  religion,  wliich  was 
then  pretended. 

Therefore  upon  further  enquiry  it  was  known,  how 
this  company  met  with  a  barque  returning  home  after 
the  fishing  with  his  freight:  and  because  the  men  in 
the  Swallow  were  very  near  scanted  of  victual,  and 
chiefly  of  apparel,  doubtful  withal  where  or  when  to 
find  and  meet  with  their  admiral,  they  besought  the 
captain  they  might  go  aboard  this  Newlander,  only  to 
borrow  what  might  be  spared,  the  rather  because  the 
same  was  bound  homeward. 

Leave  given,  not  without  charge  to  deal  favourably, 
they  came  aboard  the  fisherman,  whom  they  rifled 
of  tackle,  sails,  cables,  victuals,  and  the  men  of  their 
apparel:  not  sparing  by  torture  (winding  cords  about 
their  heads)  to  draw  out  else  what  they  thousjht  good. 
This  done  wath  expedition  (like  men  skilful  in  such 
mischief)  as  they  took  their  cock-boat  to  go  aboard 
their  own  ship,  it  was  overwhelmed  in  the  sea,  and 
certain  of  these  men  were  drowned:    the   rest  were 


134  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

preserved  even  by  those  silly  souls  whom  they  had 
before  spoiled,  who  saved  and  delivered  them  aboard 
the  Swallow,  What  became  afterward  of  the  poor 
Newlander,  perhaps  destitute  of  sails  and  furniture 
sufficient  to  carry  them  home  (whither  they  had  not 
less  to  run  than  seven  hundred  leagues)  God  alone 
knoweth,  who  took  vengeance  not  long  after  of  the 
rest  that  escaped  at  this  instant:  to  reveal  the  fact, 
and  justify  to  the  world  God's  judgments  inflicted  upon 
them,  as  shall  be  declared  in  place  convenient. 

Thus  after  we  had  met  with  the  Swallow,  we  held  on 
our  course  southward,  until  we  came  against  the  har- 
bour called  S.  John,  about  five  leagues  from  the 
former  Cape  of  S.  Francis:  where  before  the  entrance 
into  the  harbour,  we  found  also  the  frigate  or  Squirrel 
lying  at  anchor.  Whom  the  English  merchants  (that 
were  and  alwa3^s  be  admirals  by  turns  interchangeably 
over  the  fleets  of  fishermen  within  the  same  harbour) 
would  not  permit  to  enter  into  the  harbour. 

Glad  of  so  happy  meeting  both  of  the  Swallow  and 
frigate  in  one  day  (being  Saturday  the  3rd  of  August) , 
we  made  ready  our  fights  and  prepared  to  enter  the 
harbour,  any  resistance  to  the  contrary  notwithstand- 
ing, there  being  within  of  all  nations,  to  the  number 
of  thirty-six  sails.  But  first  the  general  dispatched  a 
boat  to  give  them  knowledge  of  his  coming  for  no  ill 
intent,  having  commission  from  Her  Majesty  for  his 
voyage  he  had  in  hand.  And  immediately  we  followed 
with  a  slack  gale,  and  in  the  very  entrance  (which  is  but 
narrow,  not  above  two  butts'  length)  the  admiral  fell 
upon  a  rock  on  the  larboard  side  by  great  oversight,  in 
that  the  weather  was  fair,  the  rock  much  above  water 
fast  bv  the  shore,  where  neither  went  any  sea  gate. 
But  we  found  such  readiness  in  the  English  merchants 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  135 

to  help  us  in  that  danger,  that  without  delay  there 
were  brought  a  number  of  boats,  which  towed  off  the 
ship,  and  cleared  her  of  danger. 

Having  taken  place  convenient  in  the  road,  we  let 
fall  anchors,  the  captains  and  masters  repairing  aboard 
our  admiral:  whither  also  came  immediatelv  the 
the  masters  and  owners  of  the  fishing  fleet  of  English- 
men, to  understand  the  general's  intent  and  cause  of 
our  arrival  there.  They  were  all  satisfied  when  the 
general  had  showed  his  commission,  and  purpose  to 
take  possession  of  those  lands  to  the  behalf  of  the 
Crown  of  England,  and  the  advancement  of  Christian 
religion  in  these  paganish  regions,  requiring  but  their 
lawful  aid  for  repairing  of  his  fleet,  and  supply  of  some 
necessaries,  so  far  as  conveniently  might  be  afforded 
him,  both  out  of  that  and  other  harbours  adjoining. 
In  lieu  whereof,  he  made  offer  to  gratif\'  them,  with 
any  favour  and  privilege,  which  upon  their  better 
advice  they  should  demand,  the  like  being  not  to  be 
obtained  hereafter  for  greater  price.  So  craving 
expedition  of  his  demand,  minding  to  proceed  further 
south  without  long  detention  in  those  parts,  he 
dismissed  them,  after  promise  given  of  their  best 
endeavour  to  satisfy  speedily  his  so  reasonable  re- 
quest. The  merchants  with  their  masters  departed, 
they  caused  forthwith  to  be  discharged  all  the  great 
ordinance  of  their  fleet  in  token  of  our  welcome. 

It  was  further  determined  that  every  ship  of  our 
fleet  should  deliver  unto  the  merchants  and  masters 
of  that  harbour  a  note  of  all  their  wants:  which  done, 
the  ships  as  well  EngHsh  as  strangers,  were  taxed  at 
an  easy  rate  to  make  supply.  And  besides,  commis- 
sioners were  appointed,  part  of  our  own  company 
and  part  of  theirs,  to  go  into  other  harbours  adjoining 


136  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

(for  our  English  merchants  command  all  there)  to 
leave  our  provision:  whereunto  the  Portugals  (above 
other  nations)  did  most  wilHngty  and  liberally  con- 
tribute. Insomuch  as  we  were  presented  (above  our 
allowance)  with  wines,  marmalades,  most  fine  rusk 
or  biscuit,  sweet  oils  and  sundry  delicacies.  Also  we 
wanted  not  of  fresh  salmons,  trouts,  lobsters  and  other 
fresh  fish  brought  daily  unto  us.  Moreover  as  the 
manner  is  in  their  fishing,  every  week  to  choose  their 
admiral  anew,  or  rather  they  succeed  in  orderly  course, 
and  have  weekly  their  admiral's  feast  solemnised; 
even  so  the  general,  captains  and  masters  of  our  fleet 
were  continually  invited  and  feasted. 

To  grow  short,  in  our  abundance  at  home,  the 
entertainment  had  been  delightful,  but  after  our  wants 
and  tedious  passage  through  the  ocean,  it  seemed  more 
acceptable  and  of  greater  contentation,  by  how  much 
the  same  was  unexpected  in  that  desolate  corner  of 
the  world:  where  at  other  times  of  the  year,  wild 
beasts  and  birds  have  only  the  fruition  of  all  those 
countries,  which  now  seemed  a  place  very  populous 
and  much  frequented. 

The  next  morning  being  Sunday  and  the  4th  of 
August,  the  general  and  his  company  were  brought  on 
land  by  English  merchants,  who  showed  unto  us 
their  accustomed  walks  into  a  place  they  call  the 
Garden.  But  nothing  appeared  more  than  Nature 
itself  \\'ithout  art:  who  confusedly  hath  brought 
forth  roses  abundantly,  wild,  but  odoriferous,  and  to 
sense  very  comfortable.  Also  the  like  plenty  of  rasp- 
berries, which  do  grow  in  every  place. 

Monday  foDowing,  the  general  had  his  tent  set  up, 
who  being  accompanied  with  his  own  followers,  sum- 
moned the  merchants  and  masters,  both  Enghsh  and 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  137 

strangers,  to  be  present  at  his  taking  possession  of 
those  countries.  Before  whom  openly  was  read  and 
interpreted  unto  the  strangers  his  commission:  by 
virtue  whereof  he  took  possession  in  the  same  harbour 
of  S.  John,  and  two  hundred  leagues  every  way, 
invested  the  Queen's  Majesty  with  the  title  and  dignity 
thereof,  had  delivered  unto  him  (after  the  custom  of 
England)  a  rod  and  a  turf  of  the  same  soil,  entering 
possession  also  for  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever: 
and  signified  unto  all  men,  that  from  that  time  for- 
ward, they  should  take  the  same  land  as  a  territory 
appertaining  to  the  Queen  of  England,  and  himself 
authorised  under  Her  Majesty  to  possess  and  enjoy  it. 
And  to  ordain  laws  for  the  government  thereof,  agree- 
able (so  near  as  conveniently  might  be)  unto  the  laws 
of  England:  under  which  all  people  coming  thither 
hereafter,  either  to  inhabit,  or  by  way  of  traffic,  should 
be  subjected  and  governed.  And  especially  at  the  same 
time  for  a  beginning,  he  proposed  and  dehv^ered  three 
laws  to  be  in  force  immediately.  That  is  to  say :  The 
first  for  rehgion,  which  in  public  exercise  should  be 
according  to  the  Church  of  England.  The  second  for 
maintenance  of  Her  Majesty's  right  and  possession  of 
those  territories,  against  which  if  anything  were 
attempted  prejudicial,  the  party  or  parties  o&nding 
should  be  adjudged  and  executed  as  in  case  of  high 
treason,  according  to  the  laws  of  England.  The  third, 
if  any  person  should  utter  words  sounding  to  the  dis- 
honour of  Her  Majesty,  he  should  lose  his  ears,  and 
have  his  ships  and  goods  confiscate. 

These  contents  published,  obedience  was  promised 
by  general  voice  and  consent  of  the  multitude  as  well 
of  Englishmen  as  strangers,  praying  for  continuance 
of  this  possession  and  government  begun.    After  tliis, 


138  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  assembly  was  dismissed.  And  afterward  were 
erected  not  far  from  that  place  the  Arms  of  England 
engraven  in  lead,  and  enfixed  upon  a  pillar  of  wood. 
Yet  further  and  actuall}'  to  establish  this  possession 
taken  in  the  right  of  Her  Majesty,  and  to  the  behoof 
of  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert,  knight,  his  heirs  and  assigns 
for  ever :  the  general  granted  in  fee-farm  divers  parcels 
of  land  lying  by  the  water-side,  both  in  this  harbour 
of  S.  John,  and  elsewhere,  which  was  to  the  owner  a 
great  commodity,  being  thereby  assured  (by  their 
proper  inheritance)  of  grounds  convenient  to  dress 
and  to  dry  their  fish,  whereof  many  times  before  they 
did  fail,  being  prevented  by  them  that  came  first  into 
the  harbour.  For  which  grounds  they  did  covenant 
to  pay  a  certain  rent  and  service  unto  Sir  Humphrey 
Gilbert,  his  heirs  or  assigns  for  ever,  and  yearly  to 
maintain  possession  of  the  same,  by  themselves  or 
their  assigns. 

Now  remained  only  to  take  in  provision  granted, 
according  as  every  ship  was  taxed,  which  did  fish 
upon  the  coast  adjoining.  In  the  meanwhile,  the 
general  appointed  men  unto  their  charge:  some  to 
repair  and  trim  the  ships,  others  to  attend  in  gathering 
together  our  supply  and  provisions:  others  to  search 
the  commodities  and  singularities  of  the  country  to 
to  be  found  by  sea  or  land,  and  to  make  relation  unto 
the  general  what  either  themselves  could  know  by  their 
own  travel  and  experience,  or  by  good  inteUigence  of 
Englishmen  or  strangers,  who  had  longest  frequented 
the  same  coast.  Also  some  observed  the  elevation  of 
the  Pole,  and  drew  plats  of  the  country  exactly  graded. 
And  by  that  I  could  gather  by  each  man's  several 
relation,  I  have  drawn  a  brief  description  of  the  New- 
foundland, with  the  commodities  by  sea  or  land  already 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  139 

made,  and  such  also  as  are  in  possibility  and  great 
likelihood  to  be  made.  Nevertheless  the  cards  and  plats 
that  were  drawing,  with  the  due  gradation  of  the 
harbours,  bays,  and  capes,  did  perish  with  the  admiral: 
whereof  in  the  description  following,  I  must  omit  the 
particulars  of  such  things. 

[Here  follows  a  descriplion  of  Newfoundland.] 

Amongst  other  charges  given  to  enquire  out  the 
singularities  of  this  country,  the  general  was  most 
curious  in  the  search  of  metals,  commanding  the 
mineral  man  and  refiner  especially  to  be  diligent. 
The  same  was  a  Saxon  born,  honest  and  religious, 
named  Daniel.  Who  after  search  brought  at  hrst  some 
sort  of  ore,  seeming  rather  to  be  iron  than  other  metal. 
The  next  time  he  found  ore,  which  \vith  no  small  show 
of  contentment  he  delivered  unto  the  general,  using 
protestation  that  if  silver  were  the  thing  \\hich  might 
satisfy  the  general  and  his  followers,  there  it  was, 
advising  him  to  seek  no  further:  the  peril  whereof 
he  undertook  upon  his  life  (as  dear  unto  him  as  the 
Crown  of  England  unto  Her  Majesty,  that  I  may  use 
his  own  words)  if  it  fell  not  out  accordingly. 

Myself  at  this  instant  Hker  to  die  than  to  Hve,  by 
a  mischance,  could  not  follow  this  confident  opinion 
of  our  refiner  to  my  own  satisfaction:  but  afterward 
demanding  our  general's  opinion  therein,  and  to  have 
some  part  of  the  ore,  he  replied:  "  Content  yourself, 
I  have  seen  enough,  and  were  it  but  to  satisfy  my 
private  humour,  I  would  proceed  no  further.  The 
promise  unto  my  friends  and  necessity  to  bring  also 
the  south  countries  within  compass  of  my  patent  near 
expired,  as  we  have  already  done  these  north  parts, 
do  only  persuade  me  further.    And  touching  the  ore. 


140  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

I  have  sent  it  abroad,  whereof  I  would  have  no  speech 
to  be  made  so  long  as  we  remain  wdthin  harbour :  here 
being  both  Portugals,  Biscayans  and  Frenchmen  not 
far  off,  from  whom  must  be  kept  any  bruit  or  muttering 
of  such  matter.  When  we  are  at  sea  proof  shall  be 
made ;  if  it  be  to  our  desire,  we  may  return  the  sooner 
hither  again."  Whose  answer  I  judged  reasonable,  and 
contenting  me  well:  wherewith  I  will  conclude  this 
narration  and  description  of  the  Newfoundland,  and 
proceed  to  the  rest  of  our  voyage,  which  ended  tragically. 

While  the  better  sort  of  us  were  seriously  occupied 
in  repairing  our  wants,  and  contriving  of  matters  for 
the  commodity  of  our  voyage:  others  of  another  sort 
and  disposition  were  plotting  of  mischief.  Some  were 
casting  to  steal  away  our  shipping  by  night,  watching 
opportunity  by  the  generals  and  captains  lying  on  the 
shore:  whose  conspiracies  discovered,  they  were  pre- 
vented. 

Others  drew  together  in  company,  and  carried  away 
out  of  the  harbours  adjoining,  a  ship  laden  with  fish, 
setting  the  poor  men  on  shore.  A  great  many  more  of 
our  people  stole  into  the  woods  to  hide  themselves, 
attending  time  and  means  to  return  home  by  such 
shipping  as  daily  departed  from  the  coast.  Some  were 
sick,  and  many  dead:  and  in  brief,  by  one  means  or 
other  our  company  was  diminished,  and  many  by  the 
general  licensed  to  return  home.  Insomuch  as  after 
we  had  reviewed  our  people,  resolved  to  see  an  end 
of  our  voyage,  we  grew  scant  of  men  to  furnish  all 
our  shipping:  it  seemed  good  therefore  unto  the 
general  to  leave  the  Swallow  with  such  provision  as 
might  be  spared  for  transporting  home  the  sick  people. 

The  captain  of  the  Delight,  or  admiral,  returned  into 
England,    in    whose    stead    was    appointed    Captain 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  141 

Maurice  Browne,  before  captain  of  the  Swallow:  who 
also  brought  with  him  into  the  Delight  all  his  men  of 
the  Swallow,  which  before  had  been  noted  of  outrage 
perpetrated  and  committed  upon  fishermen  there  met 
at  sea. 

The  general  made  choice  to  go  in  his  frigate  the 
Squirrel  (whereof  the  captain  also  was  amongst  them 
that  returned  into  England),  the  same  frigate  being 
most  convenient  to  discover  upon  the  coast,  and  to 
search  into  every  harbour  or  creek,  which  a  great 
ship  could  not  do.  Therefore  the  frigate  was  prepared 
with  her  nettings  and  fights,  and  overcharged  with 
bases  and  such  small  ordinance,  more  to  give  a  show, 
than  with  the  judgment  to  foresee  unto  the  safety  of 
her  and  the  men,  which  afterward  was  an  occasion 
also  of  their  overthrow. 

Now  ha\dng  made  ready  our  shipping,  that  is  to  say, 
the  Delight,  the  Golden  Hind,  and  the  Squirrel,  and 
put  aboard  our  provision,  which  was  wines,  bread  or 
rusk,  fish  wet  and  dr\',  sweet  oils :  besides  manv  other, 
as  marmalades,  figs,  lemons  barrelled,  and  such-like. 
Also  we  had  other  necessary  provisions  for  trimming 
our  ships,  nets  and  lines  to  fish  withal,  boats  or 
pinnaces  fit  for  discovery.  In  brief,  we  were  supplied 
of  our  wants  commodiously,  as  if  we  had  been  in  a 
conntry  or  some  city  populous  and  plentiful  of  all 
things. 

We  departed  from  this  harbour  of  S.  John's  upon 
Tuesday  the  20th  of  August,  which  we  found  bv 
exact  obser\^ation  to  be  in  47  degrees  40  minutes. 
And  the  next  day  by  night  we  were  at  Cape  Race, 
twenty-five  leagues  from  the  same  harbour. 

This  cape  lieth  south-south-west  from  S.  John's:  it 
is  a  low  land  being  off  from  the  cape  about  half  a  league : 


142  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

within  the  sea  riseth  up  a  rock  against  the  point  of  the 
cape,  which  is  thereby  easily  known:  it  is  in  latitude 
46  degrees  25  minutes. 

Under  this  cape  we  were  becalmed  a  small  time, 
during  which  we  laid  out  hooks  and  lines  to  take  cod, 
and  drew  in  less  than  two  hours,  fish  so  large  and  in 
such  abundance,  that  many  days  after  we  fed  upon 
no  other  provision. 

From  hence  we  shaped  our  course  unto  the  island 
of  Sablon,  if  conveniently  it  would  so  fall  out,  also 
directly  to  Cape  Breton. 

Sablon  lieth  to  the  sea-ward  of  Cape  Breton  about 
twentv-five  leagues,  whither  we  were  determined  to  go 
upon  intelligence  we  had  of  a  Portugal  (during  our 
abode  in  S.  John's),  who  was  himself  present,  when 
the  Portugals  (above  thirty  years  past)  did  put  into 
the  same  island  both  neat  and  swine  to  breed,  which 
were  since  exceedingly  multiplied.  This  seemed  unto 
us  very  happy  tidings,  to  have  in  an  island  lying  so 
near  unto  the  main,  which  we  intended  to  plant  upon, 
such  store  of  cattle,  whereby  we  might  at  all  times 
conveniently  be  relieved  of  victual,  and  served  of  store 
for  breed. 

In  this  course  we  trended  along  the  coast,  which 
from  Cape  Race  stretcheth  into  the  north-west,  making 
a  bay  which  some  called  Trepassa.  Then  it  goeth  out 
again  toward  the  west,  and  maketh  a  point,  which 
with  Cape  Race  lieth  in  manner  east  and  west.  But 
this  point  inclineth  to  the  north :  to  the  west  of  which 
goeth  in  the  Bay  of  Placentia.  We  sent  men  on  land 
to  take  view  of  the  soil  along  this  coast,  whereof 
they  made  good  report,  and  some  of  them  had  will 
to  be  planted  there.  They  saw  peas  growing  in 
abundance  everywhere. 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  143 

The  distance  between  Cape  Race  and  Cape  Breton 
is  eighty-seven  leagues.  In  which  navigation  we  spent 
eight  days,  having  many  times  the  wind  indifferent 
good:  yet  could  we  never  attain  sight  of  any  land  all 
that  time,  seeing  wc  were  hindered  by  the  current.  At 
last  we  fell  into  such  flats  and  dangers,  that  hardly 
any  of  us  escaped:  where  nevertheless  we  lost  our 
admiral  with  all  the  men  and  provision,  not  knowing 
certainlv  the  place.  Yet  our  journey  was  advantageous 
for  inducing  men  of  skill  to  make  conjecture,  by  our 
course  the  way  we  held  from  Cape  Race  thither  that 
thereby  the  flats  and  dangers  may  be  inserted  in  sea 
cards,  for  warning  to  others  that  ma}-  follow  the  same 
course  hereafter. 


The  Manner  how  our  Admiral  was  Lost 

Upon  Tuesday  the  27th  of  August,  toward  the 
evening,  our  general  caused  them  in  his  frigate  to 
sound,  who  found  white  sand  at  thirty-five  fathom, 
being  then  in  latitude  about  44  degrees. 

Wednesday  toward  night  the  wind  came  south,  and 
we  bare  with  the  land  all  that  night,  west-north-west, 
contrary  to  the  mind  of  Master  Cox:  nevertheless  we 
followed  the  admiral,  deprived  of  power  to  prevent  a 
mischief,  which  by  no  contradiction  could  be  brought 
to  hold  other  course,  alleging  they  could  not  make  the 
ship  to  work  better,  nor  to  lie  otherwise. 

The  evening  was  fair  and  pleasant,  yet  not  without 
token  of  storm  to  ensue,  and  most  part  of  this  Wed- 
nesday night,  like  the  swan  that  singeth  before  her 
death,  they  in  the  admiral,  or  Delight,  continued  in 
sounding  of  trumpets,   with   drums,   and   fifes:     also 


144  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

winding  the  comets,  hautboys:  and  in  the  end  of  their 
jolhty,  left  with  the  battle  and  ringing  of  doleful  knells. 

Towards  the  evening  also  we  caught  in  the  Golden 
Hind  a  very  mighty  porpoise,  with  a  harping  iron, 
having  first  stricken  divers  of  them,  and  brought  away 
part  of  their  flesh,  sticking  upon  the  iron,  but  could 
recover  only  that  one.  These  also  passed  through  the 
ocean,  in  herds,  did  portend  storm.  I  omit  to  recite 
frivolous  reports  by  them  in  the  frigate,  of  strange 
voices,  the  same  night,  which  scared  some  from  the 
helm. 

Thursday  the  29th  of  August,  the  wind  rose,  and 
blew  vehemently  at  south  and  by  east,  bringing  withal 
rain,  and  thick  mist,  so  that  we  could  not  see  a  cable 
length  before  us.  And  betimes  in  the  morning  we 
were  altogether  run  and  folded  in  amongst  flats  and 
sands,  amongst  which  We  found  shoal  and  deep  in  every 
three  or  four  ship's  length,  after  we  began  to  sound: 
but  first  we  were  upon  them  unawares,  until  Master 
Cox  looking  out,  discerned  (in  his  judgment)  white 
cliffs,  crying  "  Land!  "  withal,  although  we  could  not 
afterward  descry  any  land,  it  being  very  likely  the 
breaking  of  the  sea  white,  which  seemed  to  be  white 
cliffs  through  the  haze  and  thick  weather. 

Immediately  tokens  were  given  unto  the  Delight,  to 
cast  about  to  seaward,  which,  being  the  greater  ship, 
and  of  burden  one  hundred  and  twent}'  tons,  was  yet 
foremost  upon  the  breach,  keeping  so  ill  watch,  that 
they  knew  not  the  danger,  before  they  felt  the  same, 
too  late  to  recover  it :  for  presently  the  admiral  struck 
aground,  and  had  soon  after  her  stem  and  hinder 
parts  beaten  in  pieces:  whereupon  the  rest  (that  is  to 
say,  the  frigate  in  which  was  the  general  and  the 
Golden  Hind)   cast  about  east-south-east,  bearing  to 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  145 

the  south,  even  for  our  lives  into  the  wind's  eye, 
because  that  way  carried  us  to  the  seaward.  Making 
out  from  this  danger,  we  sounded  one  while  seven 
fathom,  then  five  fathom,  then  four  fathom  and  less, 
again  deeper,  immediately  four  fathom,  then  but  three 
fathom,  the  sea  going  mightily  and  high.  At  last  we 
recovered  (God  be  thanked)  in  some  despair,  to  sea- 
room  enough. 

In  this  distress,  we  had  vigilant  eye  unto  the  admiral, 
whom  we  saw  cast  away,  without  power  to  give  the 
men  succour,  neither  could  we  espy  any  of  the  men 
that  leaped  overboard  to  save  themselves,  either  in 
the  same  pinnace  or  cock,  or  upon  rafters,  and  such- 
like means,  presenting  themselves  to  men  in  those 
extremities:  for  we  desired  to  save  the  men  bv  everv 
possible  means.  But  all  in  vain,  sith  God  had  deter- 
mined their  ruin:  yet  all  that  day,  and  part  of  the 
next,  we  beat  up  and  down  as  near  unto  the  wreck 
as  was  possible  for  us,  looking  out,  if  by  good  hap  we 
might  espy  any  of  them. 

This  was  a  heavy  and  grievous  event,  to  lose  at  one 
blow  our  chief  ship  freighted  with  great  provision, 
gathered  together  with  much  travail,  care,  long  time, 
and  difficulty.  But  more  was  the  loss  of  our  men, 
which  perished  to  the  number  almost  of  a  hundred 
souls.  Amongst  whom  was  drowned  a  learned  man, 
an  Hungarian,  born  in  the  city  of  Buda,  called  there- 
fore Budaeus,  who  of  piety  and  zeal  to  good  attempts, 
adventured  in  this  action,  minding  to  record  in  the 
Latin  tongue,  the  jests  and  things  worthy  of  remem- 
brance, happening  in  this  discovery  to  the  honour  of 
our  nation,  the  same  being  adorned  with  the  eloquent 
style  of  the  orator,  and  rare  poet  of  our  time. 
Jests.  Deeds. 


146  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

Here  also  perished  our  Saxon  refiner  and  discoverer 
of  inestimable  riches,  as  it  was  left  amongst  some  of 
us  in  undoubted  hope. 

No  less  heavy  was  the  loss  of  the  captain  Maurice 
Browne,  a  virtuous,  honest,  and  discreet  gentleman, 
overseen  only  in  liberty  given  late  before  to  men,  that 
ought  to  have  been  restrained,  who  showed  himself  a 
man  resolved,  and  never  unprepared  for  death,  as  by 
his  last  act  of  this  tragedy  appeared,  by  report  of  them 
that  escaped  this  wreck  miraculously,  as  shall  be  here- 
after declared.  For  when  all  hope  was  past  of  re- 
covering the  ship,  and  that  men  began  to  give  over, 
and  to  save  themselves,  the  captain  was  advised  before 
to  shift  also  for  his  life,  by  the  pinnace  at  the  stern  of 
the  ship;  but  used  all  means  to  exhort  his  people  not 
to  despair,  nor  so  to  leave  off  their  labour,  choosing 
rather  to  die,  than  to  incur  infamy,  by  forsaking  his 
charge,  which  then  might  be  thought  to  have  perished 
through  his  default,  showing  an  ill  precedent  unto  his 
men,  by  leaving  the  ship  first  himself.  With  this  mind 
he  mounted  upon  the  highest  deck,  where  he  attended 
imminent  death,  and  unavoidable:  how  long,  I  leave 
it  to  God,  who  withdraweth  not  His  comfort  from  His 
servants  at  such  times. 

In  the  mean  season,  certain,  to  the  number  of 
fourteen  persons,  leaped  into  a  small  pinnace  (the 
bigness  of  a  Thames  barge,  which  was  made  in  the 
Newfoundland),  cut  off  the  rope  wherewith  it  was 
towed,  and  committed  themselves  to  God's  mercy, 
amidst  the  storm,  and  rage  of  sea  and  winds,  destitute 
of  food,  not  so  much  as  a  drop  of  fresh  water.  The 
boat  seeming  overcharged  in  foul  weather  with  com- 
pany, Edward  Headley,  a  valiant  soldier,  and  well 
reputed  of  his  company,  preferring  the  greater  to  the 


HUMPHREY    GILBERT  147 

lesser,  thought  better  that  some  of  them  perished  than 
all,  made  this  motion  to  cast  lots,  and  them  to  be 
be  thrown  overboard  upon  whom  the  lots  fell,  thereby 
to  lighten  the  boat,  which  other-ways  seemed  impos- 
sible to  live,  offered  himself  with  the  first,  content  to 
take  his  adventure  gladly:  which  nevertheless  Richard 
Clarke,  that  was  master  of  the  admiral,  and  one  of 
this  number,  refused,  advising  to  abide  God's  pleasure, 
who  was  able  to  save  all,  as  well  as  a  few. 

The  boat  was  carried  before  the  wind,  continuing 
six  days  and  nights  in  the  ocean,  and  arrived  at  last 
with  the  men  (alive,  but  weak)  upon  the  Newfound- 
land, saving  that  the  foresaid  Headley  (who  had  been 
late  sick)  and  another  called  of  us  Brazil,  of  his  travel 
into  those  countries,  died  by  the  way,  famished,  and 
less  able  to  hold  out,  than  those  of  better  health. 

Thus  whom  God  delivered  from  drowning,  He  ap- 
pointed to  be  famished,  who  doth  give  limits  to  man's 
times,  and  ordaineth  the  manner  and  circumstance  of 
dying:  whom  again  He  will  preserve,  neither  sea,  nor 
famine  can  confound.  For  those  that  arrived  upon 
the  Newfoundland,  were  brought  into  France  by 
certain  Frenchmen,  then  being  upon  that  coast. 

After  this  heavy  chance,  we  continued  in  beating 
the  sea  up  and  down,  expecting  when  the  weather 
would  clear  up,  that  we  might  yet  bear  in  with  the 
land,  which  we  judged  not  far  off,  either  the  continent 
or  some  island.  For  we  many  times,  and  in  sundry 
places  found  ground  at  fifty,  forty-five,  forty  fathoms, 
and  less:  the  ground  coming  upon  our  lead,  being 
sometimes  oozy  sand,  and  otherwhile  a  broad  shell, 
\nth  a  little  sand  about  it. 

Our  people  lost  courage  daily  after  this  ill  success, 
the   weather   continuing   thick   and   blustering,    with 


148  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

increase  of  cold,  winter  drawdng  on,  which  took  from 
them  all  hope  of  amendment,  setthng  an  assurance 
of  worse  weather  to  grow  upon  us  every  day.  The 
leeside  of  us  lay  full  of  fiats  and  dangers  inevitable, 
if  the  wind  blew  hard  at  south.  Some  again  doubted 
we  were  engulfed  in  the  Bay  of  S.  Lawrence,  the  coast 
full  of  dangers,  and  unto  us  unknown.  But  above  all, 
provision  waxed  scant,  and  hope  of  supply  was  gone, 
vAth.  loss  of  our  admiral. 

Those  in  the  frigate  were  already  pinched  with  spare 
allowance,  and  want  of  clothes  chiefly:  whereupon 
they  besought  the  general  to  return  for  England, 
before  they  all  perished.  And  to  them  of  the  Golden 
Hind,  they  made  signs  of  their  distress,  pointing  to 
their  mouths,  and  to  their  clothes  thin  and  ragged: 
then  immediately  they  also  of  the  Golden  Hind  grew 
to  be  of  the  same  opinion  and  desire  to  return  home. 

The  former  reasons  having  also  moved  the  general 
to  have  compassion  of  his  poor  men,  in  w^hom  he  saw 
no  want  of  good  will,  but  of  means  ht  to  perform  the 
action  they  came  for,  resolved  upon  retire :  and  calhng 
the  captain  and  master  of  the  Hind,  he  yielded  them 
many  reasons,  enforcing  this  unexpected  return,  withal 
protesting  himself  greatly  satisfied  with  that  he  had 
seen,  and  knew  already:  reiterating  these  words:  "Be 
content,  we  have  seen  enough,  and  take  no  care  of 
expense  past:  I  will  set  you  forth  royally  the  next 
spring,  if  God  send  us  safe  home.  Therefore  I  pray 
you  to  let  us  no  longer  strive  here,  where  we  fight 
against  the  elements." 

Omitting  circumstance,  how  unwillingly  the  captain 
and  master  of  the  Hind  condescended  to  this  motion, 
his  own  company  can  testify:  yet  comforted  with  the 
general's  promises  of  a  speedy  return  at  spring,  and 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  149 

induced  by  other  apparent  reasons,  proving  an  impos- 
sibility to  accomplish  the  action  at  that  time,  it  was 
concluded  on  all  hands  to  retire. 

So  upon  Saturday  in  the  afternoon  the  31st  of 
August,  we  changed  our  course  and  returned  back  for 
England,  at  which  very  instant,  even  in  winding  about, 
there  passed  along  between  us  and  towards  the  land 
which  we  now  forsook,  a  very  lion  to  our  seeming,  In 
shape,  hair  and  colour,  not  swimming  after  the  manner 
of  a  beast  moving  of  his  feet,  but  rather  sliding  upon 
the  water  with  his  whole  body  (excepting  the  legs)  in 
sight,  neither  yet  diving  under,  and  again  rising  above 
the  water,  as  the  manner  is  of  whales,  dolphins, 
tunnies,  porpoises,  and  all  other  fish:  but  confidently 
showing  himself  above  water  without  hiding.  Not- 
\nthstanding,  we  presented  ourselves  in  open  view  and 
gesture  to  amaze  him,  as  all  creatures  will  be  commonly 
at  a  sudden  gaze  and  sight  of  men.  Thus  he  passed 
along  turning  his  head  to  and  fro,  yawning  and  gaping 
wide,  with  ugly  demonstration  of  long  teeth,  and 
glaring  eyes,  and  to  bid  us  a  farewell  (coming  right 
against  the  Hind)  he  sent  forth  a  horrible  voice, 
roaring  or  bellowing  as  doth  a  lion,  which  spectacle 
we  all  beheld  so  far  as  we  were  able  to  discern  the 
same,  as  men  prone  to  wonder  at  every  strange  thing, 
as  this  doubtless  was,  to  see  a  lion  in  the  ocean  sea, 
or  fish  in  shape  of  a  lion.  WTiat  opinion  others  had 
thereof,  and  chiefly  the  general  himself,  I  forbear  to 
dehver:  but  he  took  it  for  honum  omen,  rejoicing 
that  he  was  to  war  against  such  an  enemy,  if  it  were 
the  devil. 

The  wind  was  large  for  England  at  our  return,  but 
very  high,  and  the  sea  rough,  insomuch  as  the  frigate 
wherein  the  general  went  was  almost  swallowed  up. 


150  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

Monday  in  the  afternoon  we  passed  in  the  sight  of 
Cape  Race,  having  made  as  much  way  in  little  more 
than  two  days  and  nights  back  again,  as  before  we 
had  done  in  eight  days  from  Cape  Race,  unto  the  place 
where  our  ship  perished.  Which  hindrance  thither- 
ward, and  speed  back  again,  is  to  be  imputed  unto  the 
swift  current,  as  well  as  to  the  winds,  which  we  had 
more  large  in  our  return. 

This  Monday  the  general  came  aboard  the  Hind  to 
have  the  surgeon  of  the  Hind  to  dress  his  foot,  which 
he  hurt  by  treading  upon  a  nail :  at  what  time  we  com- 
forted each  other  with  hope  of  hard  success  to  be  all 
past,  and  of  the  good  to  come.  So  agreeing  to  carry 
our  lights  always  by  night,  that  we  might  keep  to- 
gether, he  departed  into  his  frigate,  being  by  no  means 
to  be  entreated  to  tarry  in  the  Hind,  which  had  been 
more  for  his  security.  Immediately  after  followed  a 
sharp  storm,  which  we  overpassed  for  that  time. 
Praised  be  God. 

The  weather  fair,  the  general  came  aboard  the  Hind 
again,  to  make  merry  together  with  the  captain, 
master,  and  company,  which  was  the  last  meeting, 
and  continued  there  from  morning  until  night.  During 
which  time  there  passed  sundry  discourses,  touching 
affairs  past,  and  to  come,  lamenting  greatly  the  loss 
of  his  great  ship,  more  of  the  men,  but  most  of  all 
of  his  books  and  notes,  and  what  else  I  know  not, 
for  which  he  was  out  of  measure  grieved,  the  same 
doubtless  being  some  matter  of  more  importance  than 
his  books,  which  I  could  not  draw  from  him;  yet 
by  circumstance  I  gathered,  the  same  to  be  the  ore 
which  Daniel  the  Saxon  had  brought  unto  him  in  the 
Newfoundland. 

Whatsoever  it  was,  the  remembrance  touched  him 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  151 

so  deep,  as  not  able  to  contain  himself,  he  beat  iiis 
boy  in  great  rage,  even  at  the  same  time,  so  long  after 
the  miscarrying  of  the  great  ship,  because  upon  a  fair 
day,  when  we  were  becalmed  upon  the  coast  of  the 
Newfoundland,  near  unto  Cape  Race,  he  sent  his  boy 
aboard  the  admiral,  to  fetch  certain  things:  amongst 
which,  this  being  chief,  was  yet  forgotten  and  left 
behind.  After  which  time  he  could  never  conveniently 
send  again  aboard  the  great  ship,  much  less  he  doubted 
her  ruin  so  near  at  hand. 

Herein  my  opinion  was  better  confirmed  diversely, 
and  by  sundry  conjectures,  which  maketh  me  have 
the  greater  hope  of  this  rich  mine.  For  whereas  the 
general  had  never  before  good  conceit  of  these  north 
parts  of  the  world:  now  his  mind  was  wholly  fixed 
upon  the  Newfoundland.  And  as  before  he  refused 
not  to  grant  assignments  liberally  to  them  that  required 
the  same  into  these  north  parts,  now  he  became  con- 
trarily  affected,  refusing  to  make  any  so  large  grants, 
especially  of  S.  John's,  which  certain  English  merchants 
made  suit  for,  offering  to  employ  their  money  and 
travel  upon  the  same;  yet  neither  by  their  own  suit, 
nor  of  others  of  his  own  company,  whom  he  seemed 
willing  to  please,  it  could  be  obtained. 

Also  laying  down  his  determination  in  the  spring 
following,  for  disposing  of  his  voyage  then  to  be  re- 
attempted:  he  assigned  the  captain  and  master  of  the 
Golden  Hind  unto  the  south  discovery,  and  reser\'ed 
unto  himself  the  north,  affirming  that  this  vovage  had 
won  his  heart  from  the  south,  and  that  he  was  now 
become  a  northern  man  altogether. 

Last,  being  demanded  what  means  he  had  at  his 
arrival  in  England,  to  compass  the  charges  of  so  great 
preparation  as  he  intended  to  make  the  next  spring: 


152  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

having  determined  upon  two  fleets,  one  for  the  south, 
another  for  the  north:  "  Leave  that  to  me,"  he  rephed, 
"  I  will  ask  a  penny  of  no  man.  I  will  bring  good  tidings 
unto  Her  Majesty,  who  will  be  so  gracious,  to  lend  me 
ten  thousand  pounds,"  willing  us  therefore  to  be  of  good 
cheer:  for  he  did  thank  God  (he  said)  with  all  his 
heart,  for  that  he  had  seen,  the  same  being  enough  for 
us  all,  and  that  we  needed  not  to  seek  any  further. 
And  these  last  words  he  would  often  repeat,  with 
demonstration  of  great  fervency  of  mind,  being  him- 
self very  confident,  and  settled  in  belief  of  inestimable 
good  by  this  voyage;  which  the  greater  number  of 
his  followers  nevertheless  mistrusted  altogether,  not 
being  made  partakers  of  those  secrets,  which  the 
general  kept  unto  himself.  Yet  all  of  them  that  are 
living,  may  be  witnesses  of  his  words  and  protestations, 
which  sparingty  I  have  delivered. 

Leaving  the  issue  of  this  good  hope  unto  God,  who 
Soioweth  the  truth  only,  and  can  at  His  good  pleasure 
bring  the  same  to  light :  I  will  hasten  to  the  end  of  this 
tragedy,  which  must  be  knit  up  in  the  person  of  our 
.general.  And  as  it  was  God's  ordinance  upon  him, 
even  so  the  vehement  persuasion  and  entreaty  of  his 
friends  could  nothing  avail,  to  divert  him  from  a  wilful 
resolution  of  going  through  in  his  frigate,  which  was 
over-charged  upon  their  decks,  with  fights,  nettings, 
and  small  artiller\%  too  cumbersome  for  so  small  a 
boat,  that  was  to  pass  through  the  ocean  sea  at  that 
season  of  the  year,  when  by  course  we  might  expect 
much  storm  of  foul  weather,  whereof  indeed  we  had 
enough. 

But  when  he  was  entreated  by  the  captain,  master, 
and  other  his  well-willers  of  the  Hind,  not  to  venture 
in  the  frigate,  this  was  his  answer:   "  I  will  not  forsake 


HUMPHREY   GILBERT  153 

my  little  company  going  homeward,  with  whom  I  have 
passed  so  many  storms  and  perils."  And  in  ver\'  truth 
he  was  urged  to  be  so  over-hard,  by  hard  reports  given 
of  him,  that  he  was  afraid  of  the  sea,  albeit  this  was 
rather  rashness,  than  advised  resolution,  to  prefer  the 
wind  of  a  vain  report  to  the  weight  of  his  own  life. 

Seeing  he  would  not  bend  to  reason,  he  had  pro- 
vision out  of  the  Hind,  such  as  was  wanting  aboard  his 
frigate.  And  so  we  committed  him  to  God's  protection, 
and  set  him  aboard  his  pinnace,  we  being  more  than 
three  hundred  leagues  onward  of  our  way  home. 

By  that  time  we  had  brought  the  islands  of  Azores 
south  of  us,  yet  we  then  keeping  much  to  the  north, 
until  we  had  got  into  the  height  and  elevation  of 
England,  we  met  with  verv^  foul  weather,  and  terrible 
seas,  breaking  short  and  high  pyramid-wise.  The  reason 
whereof  seemed  to  proceed  either  of  hilly  grounds  high 
and  low  within  the  sea  (as  we  see  hills  and  dales 
upon  the  land)  upon  which  the  seas  do  mount  and 
fall:  or  else  the  cause  proceedeth  of  diversity  of  winds, 
shifting  often  in  sundrv'  points:  all  which  having 
power  to  move  the  great  ocean,  which  again  is  not 
presently  settled,  so  many  seas  do  encounter  together, 
as  there  had  been  diversity  of  winds.  Howsoever  it 
cometh  to  pass,  men  which  all  their  lifetime  had 
occupied  the  sea,  never  saw  more  outrageous  seas. 
We  had  also  upon  our  main-yard,  an  apparition  of 
a  little  fire  by  night,  which  seamen  do  call  "  Castor 
and  Pollux."  But  we  had  only  one,  which  they  take 
an  evil  sign  of  more  tempest  :  the  same  is  usual  in 
storms. 

Monday,  the  9th  of  September,  in  the  afternoon,  the 
frigate  was  near  cast  away,  oppressed  by  waves,  vet 
at  that  time  recovered:    and  giving  forth  signs  of  joy, 


154       STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  general  sitting  abaft  with  a  book  in  his  hand,  cried 
out  unto  us  in  the  Hind  (so  oft  as  we  did  approach 
within  hearing):  "We  are  as  near  to  Heaven  by  sea 
as  by  land  ":  reiterating  the  same  speech,  well  beseem- 
ing a  soldier,  resolute  in  Jesus  Christ,  as  I  can  testify 
he  was. 

The  same  Monday  night,  about  twelve  of  the  clock, 
or  not  long  after,  the  frigate  being  ahead  of  us  in  the 
Golden  Hind,  suddenly  her  lights  were  out,  whereof,  as 
it  were  in  a  moment,  we  lost  the  sight,  and  withal 
our  watch  cried,  the  general  was  cast  away,  which 
was  too  true.  For  in  that  moment,  the  frigate  was 
devoured  and  swallowed  up  of  the  sea.  Yet  still  we 
looked  out  all  that  night,  and  ever  after,  until  we 
arrived  upon  the  coast  of  England :  omitting  no  small 
sail  at  sea,  unto  which  we  gave  not  the  tokens  between 
us,  agreed  upon,  to  have  perfect  knowledge  of  each 
other,  if  we  should  at  any  time  be  separated. 


THE 
FIRST  VOYAGE  TO  VIRGINIA 


The  first  voyage  made  to  the  coasts  of  America,  with  two 
barques,  wherein  were  captains  M.  Philip  Amadas, 
and  M.  Arthur  Barlow,  who  discovered  part  of  the 
country  now  called  Virginia,  Anno  1584.  Written 
by  one  of  the  said  captains  and  sent  to  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  knight,  at  whose  charge  and  direction  the 
said  voyage  was  set  forth. 

The  27th  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  redemption 
1584,  we  departed  the  west  of  England  with  two 
barques,  well  furnished  with  men  and  victuals,  having 
received  our  last  and  perfect  directions  by  your  letters, 
confirming  the  former  instructions  and  commandments 
delivered  by  yourself  at  our  leaving  the  river  of  Thames. 
And  I  think  it  a  matter  both  unnecessary  for  the  mani- 
fest discovery  of  the  country-,  as  also  for  tediousness' 
sake,  to  remember  unto  you  the  diurnal  of  our  course, 
sailing  thither  and  returning:  onlv  I  have  presumed 
to  present  unto  you  this  brief  discourse  bv  which  you 
may  judge  how  profitable  this  land  is  likely  to  succeed, 
as  well  to  yourself  (by  whose  direction  and  charge,  and 
by  whose  servants  this,  our  discovery,  hath  been  per- 
formed) as  also  to  Her  Highness  and  the  Common- 
wealth, in  which  we  hope  your  wisdom  will  be  satisfied, 
considering  that  as  much  by  us  hath  been  brought  to 
light  as  by  those  small  means  and  number  of  men  we 
had,  could  any  way  have  been  expected  or  hoped  for. 

155 


156  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

The  loth  of  May  we  arrived  at  the  Canaries,  and 
the  loth  of  June,  in  this  present  year,  we  were  fallen 
with  the  islands  of  the  West  Indies,  keeping  a  more 
south-easterly  course  than  was  needful,  because  we 
doubted  that  the  current  of  the  Bay  of  Mexico,  dis- 
bogging  between  the  Cape  of  Florida  and  Havana,  had 
been  of  greater  force  than  afterwards  we  found  it  to 
be.  At  which  islands  we  found  the  air  very  unwhole- 
some, and  our  men  grew,  for  the  most  part,  ill  dis- 
posed: so  that  having  refreshed  ourselves  with  sweet 
water  and  fresh  victual,  we  departed  the  twelfth  day 
of  our  arrival  there.  These  islands,  with  the  rest 
adjoining,  are  so  well-known  to  yourself,  and  to  many 
others,  as  I  will  not  trouble  you  with  the  remembrance 
of  them. 

The  2nd  of  July  we  found  shoal  water,  where  we 
smelt  so  sweet  and  so  strong  a  smell,  as  if  we  had  been 
in  the  midst  of  some  delicate  garden,  abounding  with 
all  kind  of  odoriferous  flowers,  by  which  we  were  assured 
that  the  land  could  not  be  far  distant:  and  keeping 
good  watch  and  bearing  but  slack  sail,  the  fourth  of 
the  same  month  we  arrived  upon  the  coast,  which  we 
supposed  to  be  a  continent  and  firm  land,  and  we 
sailed  along  the  same  a  hundred  and  twenty  English 
miles  before  we  could  find  any  entrance  or  river 
issuing  into  the  sea. 

The  first  that  appeared  unto  us  we  entered,  though 
not  without  some  difficulty,  and  cast  anchor  about 
three  harquebuz-shot  within  the  haven's  mouth,  on 
the  left  hand  of  the  same:  and  after  thanks  given  to 
God  for  our  safe  arrival  thither,  we  manned  our  boats 
and  went  to  view  the  land  next  adjoining,  and  to  take 
possession  of  the  same  in  the  right  of  the  Queen's 
Disbogging.  Coming  out. 


AMADAS   AND   BARLOW  157 

most  excellent  Majesty,  as  rightful  Queen  and  Princess 
of  the  same,  and  after  delivered  the  same  over  to  your 
use,  according  to  Her  Majesty's  grant  and  letters  patent, 
under  Her  Highness's  great  seal. 

Which  being  performed  according  to  the  ceremonies 
used  in  such  enterprises,  we  viewed  the  land  about  us, 
being  where  we  first  landed,  very  sand}^  and  low 
towards  the  water's  side,  but  so  full  of  grapes  as  the 
very  beating  and  surge  of  the  sea  overflowed  them, 
of  which  we  found  such  plenty,  as  well  there  as  in  all 
places  else,  both  on  the  sand  and  on  the  green  soil  on 
the  hills,  as  in  the  plains,  as  well  on  every  little  shrub, 
as  also  climbing  towards  the  tops  of  high  cedars,  that 
I  think  in  all  the  world  the  like  abundance  is  not  to 
be  found:  and  myself  having  seen  those  parts  of 
Europe  that  most  abound,  find  such  difference  as  were 
incredible  to  be  written. 

We  passed  from  the  seaside  towards  the  tops  of  those 
hills  next  adjoining,  being  but  of  mean  height,  and 
from  thence  we  beheld  the  sea  on  both  sides  to  the 
north  and  to  the  south,  finding  no  end  any  of  both 
wa^^s.  This  land  lay  stretching  itself  to  the  west, 
which  after  we  found  to  be  but  an  island  of  twentv 
miles  long,  and  not  above  six  miles  broad.  Under  the 
bank  or  hill  whereon  we  stood,  we  beheld  the  valleys 
replenished  with  goodly  cedar  trees,  and  having  dis- 
charged our  harquebuz-shot,  such  a  flock  of  cranes 
(the  most  part  white)  arose  under  us,  with  such  a  cr}-, 
redoubled  by  many  echoes,  as  if  an  army  of  men  had 
shouted  all  together. 

This  island  had  many  goodly  woods,  full  of  deer, 
conies,  hares  and  fowl,  even  in  the  midst  of  summer, 
in  incredible  abundance.  The  woods  are  not  such  as 
you  find  in  Bohemia,  Moscovia  or  Herc^Tlia,  barren 


158  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

and  fruitless,  but  the  highest  and  reddest  cedars  of 
the  world,  far  bettering  the  cedars  of  the  Azores,  of 
the  Indies,  or  Libanus,  pines,  cypress,  sassafras,  the 
lentisk  or  the  tree  that  beareth  the  mastick,  the  tree 
that  beareth  black  cinnamon,  of  which  Master  Winter 
brought  from  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  and  many  other 
of  excellent  smeU  and  quality. 

We  remained  by  the  side  of  this  island  two  whole 
days  before  we  saw  any  people  of  the  country;  the 
third  day  we  espied  one  smaU  boat  rowing  towards 
us,  having  in  it  three  persons.  This  boat  came  to  the 
island-side,  four  harquebuz-shots  from  our  ships,  and 
there  two  of  the  people  remaining;  the  third  came 
along  the  shore-side  towards  us,  and  we  being  then  all 
within-board,  he  walked  up  and  down  upon  the  point 
of  the  land  next  unto  us. 

Then  the  master  and  the  pilot  of  the  admiral,  Simon 
Ferdinando,  and  the  captain,  Philip  Amadas,  myself 
and  others,  rowed  to  the  land,  whose  coming  this  fellow 
attended,  never  making  any  show  of  fear  or  doubt. 
And  after  he  had  spoken  of  many  things,  not  under- 
stood by  us,  we  brought  him  with  his  own  good  liking 
aboard  the  ships,  and  gave  him  a  shirt,  a  hat  and  some 
other  things,  and  made  him  taste  of  our  wine  and  our 
meat,  which  he  liked  ver}^  weU. 

And  after  ha\ang  viewed  both  barques  he  departed, 
and  went  to  his  own  boat  again,  which  he  had  left  in 
a  little  cove  or  creek  adjoining.  As  soon  as  he  was 
two  bow-shot  into  the  water,  he  feU  to  fishing,  and  in 
less  than  half  an  hour,  he  had  laden  his  boat  as  deep 
as  it  could  swim,  with  which  he  came  again  to  the 
point  of  the  land,  and  there  he  divided  his  fish  into 
two  parts,  pointing  one  part  to  the  ship  and  the  other 
to  the  pinnace;    which  after  he  had   (as  much  as  he 


I 


AMADAS   AND    BARLOW  159 

might)  requited  the  former  benefits  received,  departed 
out  of  our  sight. 

The  next  day  there  came  unto  us  divers  boats,  and 
in  one  of  them  the  king's  brother,  accompanied  with 
forty  or  fifty  men,  ver^'  handsome  and  goodly  people, 
and  in  their  behaviour  as  mannerly  and  civil  as  any  of 
Europe.  His  name  was  Granganimeo,  and  the  king  i> 
called  Wingina;  the  country  Wingandacoa,  and  now, 
by  Her  Majesty,  Virginia. 

The  manner  of  his  coming  was  in  this  sort:  he  left 
his  boats  altogether,  as  the  first  man  did,  a  little  from 
the  ships  by  the  shore,  and  came  along  to  the  place 
over  against  the  ships,  followed  with  forty  men.  WTien 
he  came  to  the  place,  his  servants  spread  a  long  mat 
upon  the  ground,  on  which  he  sat  down,  and  at  the 
other  end  of  the  mat  four  others  of  his  company  did 
the  like.  The  rest  of  his  men  stood  round  about  him, 
somewhat  afar  off. 

WTien  we  came  to  the  shore  to  him  with  our  weapons, 
he  never  moved  from  his  place,  nor  any  of  the  other 
four,  nor  never  mistrusted  any  harm  to  be  offered  from 
us,  but,  sitting  still,  he  beckoned  us  to  come  and  sit  by 
him,  which  we  performed:  and  being  set  he  made  all 
signs  of  joy  and  welcome,  striking  his  head  and  his 
breast  and  afterwards  on  ours,  to  show  we  were  all 
one,  smiling  and  making  show  the  best  he  could  of 
all  love  and  famiHarity.  After  he  had  made  a  long 
speech  unto  us,  we  presented  him  with  divers  things, 
which  he  received  very  joyfully  and  thankfully.  None 
of  the  company  durst  speak  one  word  all  the  time :  only 
the  four  which  were  at  the  other  end,  spake  one  in  the 
other's  ear  very^  softly. 

The  king  is  greatly  obeyed,  and  his  brothers  and 
children  reverenced.    The  king  himself  in  person  was, 


i6o  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

at  our  being  there,  sore  wounded  in  a  fight  which  he 
had  with  the  king  of  the  next  country,  called  Wingina, 
and  was  shot  in  two  places  through  the  body,  and 
once  clean  through  the  thigh,  but  yet  he  recovered: 
by  reason  whereof,  and  for  that  he  lay  at  the  chief 
town  of  the  country,  being  six  days'  journey  off,  we 
saw  him  not  at  all. 

After  we  had  presented  this,  his  brother,  with  such 
things  as  we  thought  he  liked,  we  likewise  gave  some- 
what to  the  other  that  sat  with  him  on  the  mat:  but 
presently  he  arose  and  took  all  from  them  and  put  it 
into  his  own  basket,  making  signs  and  tokens  that  all 
things  ought  to  be  dehvered  unto  him,  and  the  rest 
were  but  his  servants  and  followers. 

A  day  or  two  after  this  we  fell  to  trading  with  them, 
exchanging  some  things  that  we  had  for  chamois, 
buff  and  deer  skins.  When  we  showed  him  all  our 
packet  of  merchandise,  of  all  the  things  that  he  saw, 
a  bright  tin  dish  most  pleased  him,  which  he  presently 
took  up  and  clapped  it  before  his  breast,  and  after 
made  a  hole  in  the  brim  thereof  and  hung  it  about  his 
neck,  making  signs  that  it  would  defend  him  against 
his  enemies'  arrows:  for  those  people  maintain  a  deadly 
and  terrible  war  with  the  people  and  king  adjoining. 

We  exchanged  our  tin  dish  for  twenty  skins,  worth 
twenty  crowns  or  twenty  nobles,  and  a  copper  kettle 
for  fifty  skins  worth  fifty  crowns.  They  offered  us  good 
exchange  for  our  hatchets  and  axes  and  for  knives, 
and  would  have  given  anything  for  swords;  but  we 
would  not  depart  with  any. 

After  two  or  three  days  the  king's  brother  came 
aboard  the  ships  and  drank  wine  and  ate  of  our  meat 
and  of  our  bread,  and  liked  exceedingly  thereof:  and 
after  a  few  days  overpassed,  he  brought  his  wife  with 


AMADAS   AND   BARLOW  i6i 

him  to  the  ships,  his  daughter,  and  two  or  three 
children.  His  wife  was  very  well-favoured,  of  mean 
stature,  and  very  bashful;  she  had  on  her  back  a 
long  cloak  of  leather,  with  the  fur  side  next  to  her 
body,  and  before  her  a  piece  of  the  same;  about  her 
forehead. she  had  a  band  of  white  coral,  and  so  had 
her  husband  many  times;  in  her  ears  she  had  brace- 
lets of  pearls,  hangmg  down  to  her  middle  (whereof 
we  delivered  your  worship  a  little  bracelet)  and  those 
were  of  the  bigness  of  good  peas. 

The  rest  of  her  women  of  the  better  sort  had  pendants 
of  copper  hanging  in  either  ear,  and  some  of  the 
children  of  the  king's  brother,  and  other  noblemen, 
have  five  or  six  in  either  ear.  He  himself  had  upon 
his  head  a  broad  plate  of  gold  or  copper,  for  being 
unpolished,  we  knew  not  what  metal  it  should  be, 
neither  w^ould  he  by  any  means  suffer  us  to  take  it  off 
his  head,  but  feeling  it,  it  would  bow  very  easily.  His 
apparel  was  as  his  wife's,  only  the  women  wear  their 
hair  long  on  both  sides,  and  the  men  but  on  one.  They 
are  of  colour  yellowish,  and  their  hair  black  for  the 
most  part,  and  yet  we  saw  children  that  had  very 
fine  auburn  and  chestnut-coloured  hair. 

After  that  these  women  had  been  there,  there  came 
down  from  all  parts  great  store  of  people,  bringing 
with  them  leather,  coral,  divers  kinds  of  dyes,  very 
excellent,  and  exchanged  with  us;  but  when  Gran- 
ganimeo,  the  king's  brother,  was  present,  none  durst 
trade  but  himself:  except  such  as  wear  red  pieces  of 
copper  on  their  heads  like  himself:  for  that  is  the 
difference  between  the  noblemen  and  the  governors 
of  the  country,  and  the  meaner  sort.  And  we  both 
noted  there,  and  you  have  understood  since  by  these 
men  which  we  brought  home,  that  no  people  in  the 

F 


i62  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

world  carry  more  respect  to  their  king,  nobility  and 
governors  than  these  do. 

The  king's  brother's  wife,  when  she  came  to  us  (as 
she  did  many  times)  was  followed  with  forty  or  fifty 
women  always;  and  when  she  came  into  the  ship  she 
left  them  all  on  land,  saving  her  two  daughters,  her 
nurse,  and  one  or  two  more.  The  king's  brother  always 
kept  this  order,  as  many  boats  as  he  would  come  withal 
to  the  ships,  so  many  hres  would  he  make  on  the  shore 
afar  off,  to  the  end  we  might  understand  with  what 
strength  and  company  he  approached. 

Their  boats  are  made  of  one  tree,  either  of  pine  or 
of  pitch  trees,  a  wood  not  commonly  known  to  our 
people,  nor  found  growdng  in  England.  They  have  no 
edge  tools  to  make  them  withal ;  if  they  have  they  are 
ver}'  few,  and  those,  it  seems,  they  had  twenty  years 
since,  which,  as  those  two  men  declared,  was  out  of  a 
wreck  which  happened  upon  their  coast  of  some 
Christian  ship  being  beaten  that  way  by  some  storm 
and  outrageous  weather,  whereof  none  of  the  people 
were  saved,  but  only  the  ship,  or  some  part  of  her, 
being  cast  upon  the  sand,  out  of  whose  sides  they  drew 
the  nails  and  spikes,  and  with  those  they  made  their 
best  instruments. 

The  manner  of  making  their  boats  is  thus:  they 
burn  down  some  great  tree,  or  take  such  as  are  wind- 
fallen,  and  putting  gum  and  rosin  upon  one  side  thereof, 
they  set  fire  into  it,  and  when  it  hath  burnt  it  hollow, 
they  cut  out  the  coal  with  their  shells,  and  everywhere 
they  would  burn  it  deeper  or  wider  they  lay  on  gums 
which  burn  away  the  timber,  and  by  this  means  they 
fashion  very  fine  boats,  and  such  as  will  transport 
twenty  men.  Their  oars  are  like  scoops,  and  many 
times  they  set  with  long  poles,  as  the  depth  serveth. 


AMADAS   AND    BARLOW  163 

The  king's  brother  had  great  hking  of  our  armour, 
a  sword  and  divers  other  things  which  we  had:  and 
offered  to  lay  a  great  box  of  pearl  in  gage  for  them; 
but  we  refused  it  for  this  time,  because  we  would  not 
make  them  know  that  we  esteemed  thereof  until  we 
had  understood  in  what  places  of  the  country  the 
pearl  grew;  which  now  your  worship  doth  very  well 
understand. 

He  was  very  just  of  his  promise;  for  many  time^ 
we  delivered  him  merchandise  upon  his  word,  but  ever 
he  came  within  the  day  and  performed  his  promise. 
He  sent  us  every  day  a  brace  or  two  of  fat  bucks, 
conies,  hares,  fish,  the  best  in  the  world.  He  sent  us 
divers  kinds  of  fruits — melons,  walnuts,  cucumbers, 
gourds,  peas  and  divers  roots  and  fruits,  very  excellent 
good,  and  of  their  country  corn,  which  is  very  white, 
fair  and  well-tasted,  and  groweth  three  times  in  five 
months.  In  May  they  sow,  in  July  they  reap ;  in  June 
they  sow,  in  August  they  reap;  in  July  they  sow,  in 
September  they  reap;  only  they  cast  the  corn  into 
the  ground,  breaking  a  Httle  of  the  soft  turf  with  a 
wooden  mattock  or  pickaxe.  Ourselves  proved  the 
soil,  and  put  some  of  our  peas  in  the  ground,  and  in 
ten  days  they  were  of  fourteen  inches  high ;  they  have 
also  beans  very  fair  of  divers  colours  and  wonderful 
plenty,  some  growing  naturally  and  some  in  their 
gardens,  and  so  have  they  wheat  and  oats. 

The  soil  is  most  plentiful,  sweet,  fruitful  and  whole- 
some of  all  the  world :  there  are  above  fourteen  several 
sv/eet-smelling  timber  trees,  and  the  most  part  of  their 
underwoods  are  bays  and  such-like.  They  had  those 
oaks  that  we  have,  but  far  greater  and  better.  After 
they  had  been  divers  times  aboard  our  ships,  myself, 
"v^ith  seven  more,  went  twenty  mile  into  the  river  that 


i64  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

runneth  toward  the  city  of  Skicoak,  which  river  they 
call  Occam:  and  the  evening  following  we  came  to  an 
island,  which  they  call  Roanoak,  distant  from  the 
harbour  by  which  we  entered,  seven  leagues:  and  at 
the  north  end  thereof  was  a  village  of  nine  houses, 
built  of  cedar  and  fortified  round  about  with  sharp 
trees  to  keep  out  their  enemies,  and  the  entrance  into 
it  made  like  a  turnpike,  very  artificially. 

When  we  came  towards  it,  standing  near  unto  the 
waters'  side,  the  ^\ife  of  Granganimo,  the  king's  brother, 
came  running  out  to  meet  us,  very  cheerfully  and 
friendly.  Her  husband  was  not  then  in  the  village. 
Some  of  her  people  she  demanded  to  draw  our  boat 
on  shore  for  the  beating  of  the  billow;  others  she 
appointed  to  carry  us  on  their  backs  to  the  dry  ground, 
and  others  to  bring  our  oars  into  the  house  for  fear  of 
stealing.  When  we  were  come  into  the  outer  room, 
having  five  rooms  in  her  house,  she  caused  us  to  sit 
down  by  a  great  fire,  and  after  took  off  our  clothes 
and  washed  them  and  dried  them  again.  Some  of  the 
women  plucked  off  our  stockings  and  washed  them, 
som.e  washed  our  feet  in  warm  water,  and  she  herself 
took  great  pains  to  see  all  things  ordered  in  the  best 
manner  she  could,  making  great  haste  to  dress  some 
meat  for  us  to  eat. 

After  we  had  thus  dried  ourselves,  she  brought  us 
into  the  inner  room,  where  she  set  on  the  board  stand- 
ing along  the  house,  some  wheat  fermented,  sodden 
venison,  and  roasted,  fish  sodden,  boiled  and  roasted, 
melons  raw,  and  sodden,  roots  of  divers  kinds  and 
divers  fruits.  Their  drink  is  commonly  water,  but 
while  the  grape  lasteth  they  drink  wine,  and  for  want 
of  casks  to  keep  it,  all  the  year  they  drink  water,  but 
it  is  sodden  with  ginger  in  it,  and  black  cinnamon. 


AMADAS   AND   BARLOW  165 

and  sometimes  sassafras  and  divers  other  wholesome 
and  medicinable  herbs  and  trees. 

We  were  entertained  with  all  love  and  kindness, 
and  with  as  much  bounty  (after  their  manner)  as  they 
could  possibly  devise.  We  found  the  people  most 
gentle,  loving  and  faithful,  void  of  all  guile  and  treason, 
and  such' as  live  after  the  manner  of  the  golden  age. 

The  people  only  care  how  to  defend  themselves 
from  the  cold  in  their  short  winter  and  to  feed  them- 
selves with  such  meat  as  the  soil  affordeth.  Their 
meat  is  very  well  sodden,  and  they  make  broth  very 
sweet  and  savoury.  Their  vessels  are  earthen  pots, 
very  large,  white  and  sweet,  their  dishes  are  wooden 
platters  of  sweet  timber.  Within  the  space  where 
they  feed  was  their  lodging,  and  within  that  their 
idol,  which  they  worship,  of  whom  they  speak  incred- 
ible things. 

While  we  were  at  meat,  there  came  in  at  the  gates 
two  or  three  men  with  their  bows  and  arrows  from 
hunting,  whom  when  we  espied,  we  began  to  look  one 
towards  another,  and  offered  to  reach  our  weapons; 
but  as  soon  as  she  espied  our  mistrust,  she  was  verv 
much  moved,  and  caused  some  of  her  men  to  run  out 
and  take  away  their  bows  and  arrows  and  break  them, 
and  withal  beat  the  poor  fellows  out  of  the  gate  again. 

When  we  departed  in  the  evening  and  would  not 
tarry  all  night,  she  was  very  sorry,  and  gave  us  into 
our  boat  our  supper,  half-dressed,  pots  and  all,  and 
brought  us  to  our  boat-side,  in  which  we  lay  all  night, 
removing  the  same  a  pretty  distance  from  the  shore. 
She  perceiving  our  jealousy,  was  much  grieved,  and 
sent  divers  men  and  thirty  women  to  sit  all  night  on 
the  bankside  by  us,  and  sent  us  into  our  boats  hve  mats 
to  cover  us  from  the  rain,  using  very  many  words  to 


i66  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

entreat  us  to  rest  in  their  houses:  but  because  we 
were  few  men,  and  if  we  had  miscarried,  the  voyage 
had  been  in  very  great  danger,  we  durst  not  adventure 
anything,  though  there  was  no  cause  of  doubt,  for  a 
more  kind  and  loving  people  there  cannot  be  found 
in  the  world,  as  far  as  we  have  hitherto  had  trial. 

Beyond  this  island  there  is  the  mainland,  and  over 
against  this  island  falleth  into  this  spacious  water  the 
great  river  called  Occam  by  the  inhabitants,  on  which 
standeth  a  town  called  Pomeiok,  and  six  days'  journey 
from  the  same  is  situate  their  greatest  city,  called 
Skicoak,  which  this  people  affirm  to  be  very  great: 
but  the  savages  were  never  at  it,  only  they  speak  of 
it  by  the  report  of  their  fathers  and  other  men,  whom 
they  have  heard  affirm  it  to  be  above  one  hour's 
journey  about. 

Into  this  river  falleth  another  great  river  called 
Cipo,  in  which  there  is  found  great  store  of  mussels, 
in  which  there  are  pearls.  Likewise  there  descendeth 
into  this  ocean  another  river  called  Nomopana,  on  the 
one  side  whereof  there  standeth  a  great  town  called 
Chawanook,  and  the  lord  of  that  town  and  country  is 
called  Pooneno.  This  Pooneno  is  not  subject  to  the 
King  of  Wingandacoa,  but  is  a  free  lord.  Beyond 
this  country  there  is  another  king,  whom  they  call 
Menatonon,  and  these  three  kings  are  in  league  with 
each  other.  Towards  the  south-west,  four  days' 
journey,  is  situate  a  town  called  Secotan,  w^hich  is 
the  southernmost  town  of  Wingandacoa,  near  unto 
which,  six  and  twenty  years  past,  there  was  a  ship 
cast  away,  whereof  some  of  the  people  were  saved, 
and  those  were  white  people,  whom  the  country 
people  preserved. 

And  after  ten   days  remaining  in  an  out   island. 


AMADAS   AND   BARLOW  167 

uninhabited,  called  Wococon,  they,  with  the  help  of 
some  of  the  dwellers  of  Secotan,  fastened  two  boats 
of  the  country  together  and  made  masts  unto  them 
and  sails  of  their  shirts,  and  having  taken  into  them 
such  victuals  as  the  country  yielded,  they  departed, 
after  they  had  remained  in  this  out  island  three  weeks: 
but  shortly  after  it  seemed  they  were  cast  away,  for 
the  boats  were  found  upon  the  coast,  cast  a-land  in 
another  island  adjoining. 

Other  than  these,  there  was  never  any  people 
apparelled,  or  white  of  colour,  either  seen  or  heard  of 
amongst  these  people,  and  these  aforesaid  were  seen 
onl}'  of  the  inhabitants  of  Secotan,  which  appeared  to 
be  very  true,  for  they  wondered  marvellously  when 
we  were  amongst  them  at  the  whiteness  of  our  skins, 
ever  coveting  to  touch  our  breasts  and  to  view  the 
same.  Besides  they  had  our  ships  in  marvellous 
admiration,  and  all  things  else  were  so  strange  to  them, 
as  it  appeared  that  none  of  them  had  ever  seen  the  like. 

\Mien  we  discharged  any  piece,  were  it  but  a 
harquebuz,  they  would  tremble  thereat  for  ver\'  fear 
and  for  the  strangeness  of  the  same:  for  the  weapons 
which  themselves  use  are  bows  and  arrows;  the  arrows 
are  but  of  small  canes,  headed  with  a  sharp  shell  or 
tooth  of  a  fish,  sufficient  enough  to  kill  a  naked  man. 
Their  swords  be  of  wood  hardened:  likewise  thev  use 
wooden  breastplates  for  their  defence.  They  have 
besides  a  kind  of  club,  in  the  end  whereof  they  fasten 
the  sharp  horns  of  a  stag,  or  other  beast.  When  they 
go  to  wars  they  carr\'  about  with  them  their  idol,  of 
whom  they  ask  counsel,  as  the  Romans  were  wont  of 
the  oracle  of  Apollo.  They  sing  songs  as  they  march 
towards  the  battle  instead  of  dnims  and  tnimpets: 
their  wars  are  verv  cruel  and  bloodv,  bv  reason  whereof 


i68  STORIES    FROM    HAKLUYT 

and  of  their  civil  dissensions  which  have  happened  of 
late  years  amongst  them,  the  people  are  marvellousl}' 
wasted,  and  in  some  places,  the  country  left  desolate. 

Adjoining  to  this  country  aforesaid,  called  Secotan, 
beginneth  a  country  called  Pomovik,  belonging  to 
another  king  whom  they  call  Piamacum,  and  this  king 
is  in  league  with  the  next  king  adjoining  towards  the 
setting  of  the  sun,  and  the  countrj'  Newsiok,  situate 
upon  a  goodly  river  called  Neus.  These  kings  have 
mortal  war  with  Wingina,  king  of  Wingandacoa;  but 
about  two  years  past  there  was  a  peace  made  between 
the  king  Piemacum  and  the  lord  of  Secotan,  as  these 
men  which  we  have  brought  with  us  to  England  have 
given  us  to  understand.  But  there  remaineth  a  mortal 
malice  in  the  Secotanes  for  many  injuries  and  slaughters 
done  upon  them  by  this  Piemacum.  They  invited 
divers  men,  and  thirty  women  of  the  best  of  the  country, 
to  their  town  to  a  feast ;  and  when  they  were  altogether 
merry,  and  praying  before  their  idol  (which  is  nothing 
else  but  a  mere  illusion  of  the  devil)  the  captain  or 
lord  of  the  town  came  suddenly  upon  them,  and  slew 
them  every  one,  reserving  the  women  and  children: 
and  these  two  have  oftentimes  since  persuaded  us  to 
surprise  Piemacum  his  town,  having  promised  and 
assured  us  that  there  will  be  found  in  it  great  store 
of  commodities.  But  whether  their  persuasion  be  to  the 
end  they  may  be  revenged  of  their  enemies,  or  for  the 
love  they  bear  to  us,  we  leave  that  to  the  trial  hereafter. 

Beyond  this  island  called  Roanoak  are  islands, 
very  plentiful  in  fruits  and  other  natural  increases, 
together  with  many  towns  and  villages  along  the  side 
of  the  continent,  some  bounding  upon  the  islands, 
and  some  stretching  up  further  into  the  land. 

When  we  first  had  sight  of  this  country,  some  thought 


AMADAS   AND   BARLOW  169 

the  first  land  we  saw  to  be  the  continent ;  but  after 
we  entered  into  the  haven,  we  saw  l^efore  us  another 
mighty  long  sea;  for  there  lieth  along  the  coast  a 
tract  of  islands,  two  hundred  miles  in  length,  adjoining 
to  the  ocean  sea,  and  between  the  islands,  two  or  three 
entrances.  When  you  are  entered  between  them 
(these  islands  being  very  narrow,  for  the  most  part, 
as  in  most  places  six  miles  broad,  and  in  some  places 
less,  in  few  more)  then  there  appeareth  another  great 
sea,  containing  in  breadth  in  some  places  forty,  and 
in  some  fifty,  in  some  twenty  miles  over  before  vou 
come  to  the  continent;  and  in  this  enclosed  sea  there 
are  above  an  hundred  islands  of  divers  bignesses, 
whereof  one  is  sixteen  miles  long,  at  which  we  were, 
finding  it  a  most  pleasant  and  fertile  ground,  replen- 
ished with  goodly  cedars  and  divers  other  sweet  woods, 
full  of  currants,  of  flax,  and  many  other  notable  com- 
modities, which  we,  at  that  time,  had  no  leisure  to 
view.  Besides  this  island  there  are  many,  as  I  have 
said,  some  of  two,  or  three,  of  four,  of  five  miles,  some 
more,  some  less,  most  beautiful  and  pleasant  to 
behold,  replenished  with  deer,  conies,  hares  and  divers 
beasts,  and  about  them  the  goodliest  and  best  fish 
in  the  world,  and  in  greatest  abundance. 

Thus,  sir,  we  have  acquainted  you  with  the  par- 
ticulars of  our  discover}-,  made  this  present  voyage, 
as  far  forth  as  the  shortness  of  time  we  there  continued 
would  afford  us  to  take  view  of;  and  so  contenting 
ourselves  with  this  service  at  this  time,  which  we  hope 
hereafter  to  enlarge  as  occasion  and  assistance  shall 
be  given,  we  resolved  to  leave  the  countr\7  and  to 
apply  ourselves  to  return  for  England,  which  we  did 
accordingly,  and  arrived  safely  in  the  west  of  England 
about  the  middle  of  September. 


170         STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

And  whereas  we  have  above  certified  you  of  the 
country  taken  in  possession  by  us  to  Her  Majesty's 
use,  and  so  to  yours  by  Her  Majesty's  grant,  we  thought 
good  for  the  better  assurance  thereof  to  record  some 
of  the  particular  gentlemen  of  account  who  then  were 
present  as  witness  of  the  same,  that  thereby  all  occasion 
of  cavil  to  the  title  of  the  country,  in  Her  Majesty's 
behalf,  may  be  prevented,  which  otherwise,  such  as 
like  not  the  action,  may  use  and  pretend,  whose  names 
are:  Master  Philip  Amadas,  Master  Arthur  Barlow, 
captains;  William  Green  vill,  John  Wood,  James 
Browewich,  Henr}-  Green,  Benjamin  Wood,  Simon 
Ferdinando,  Nicholas  Petman,  John  Hewes,  of  the 
company. 

We  brought  home  also  two  of  the  savages,  being 
lusty  men,  whose  names  were  Wanchese  and  Manteo. 


GRENVILLE   IN  VIRGINIA      «1' 


The  voyage  made  by  Sir  Richard  Grenville,  for  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  to  Virginia,  in  the  year  1585. 

The  9th  day  of  April,  in  the  year  aforesaid,  we 
departed  from  Plymouth,  our  fleet  consisting  of  the 
number  of  seven  sails,  to  wit,  the  Tiger,  of  the  burden 
of  seven-score  tons,  a  flyboat,  called  the  Roebuck,  of 
the  like  burden,  the  Lion,  of  a  hundred  tons  or  there- 
abouts, the  Elizabeth,  of  fifty  tons,  and  the  DorotJjy, 
a  small  barque:  whereunto  were  also  adjoined  for 
speedy  services,  two  small  pinnaces.  The  principal 
gentlemen  of  our  company  were  these:  Mr.  Ralph 
Lane,  Mr.  Thomas  Cavendish,  Mr.  John  Arundcll, 
Mr.  Raymond,  Mr.  Stukeley,  Mr.  Bremige,  Mr.  Vincent, 
and  Mr.  John  Clarke,  and  divers  others,  whereof  some 
were  captains  and  other  some  assistants  for  counsel 
and  good  directions  in  the  voyage. 

The  14th  day  of  April  we  fell  with  Lancerota  and 
Forteventura,  isles  of  the  Canaries,  and  from  thence 
we  continued  our  course  for  Dominica,  one  of  the 
Antilles  of  the  West  Indies,  wherewith  we  fell  the 
7th  day  of  May,  and  the  loth  day  following  we  came 
to  an  anchor  at  Cotesa,  a  little  island  situate  near  to 
the  island  of  S.  John,  where  we  landed  and  refreshed 
''urselves  all  that  day. 

The  1 2th  day  of  May  we  came  to  an  anchor  in  the 
Bay  of  Mosquito,  in  the  island  of  S.  John,  within  a 

171 


172  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

falcon-shot  of  the  shore,  where  our  general,  Sir  Richard 
Grenville,  and  the  most  part  of  our  company  landed 
and  began  to  fortify  ver}^  near  to  the  sea-side.  The 
river  ran  by  the  one  side  of  our  fort  and  the  other 
two  sides  were  environed  with  woods. 

The  13th  day  we  began  to  build  a  new  pinnace 
within  the  fort,  with  the  timber  that  we  then  felled 
in  the  country,  some  part  whereof  we  fetched  three 
miles  up  in  the  land  and  brought  it  to  our  fort  upon 
trucks,  the  Spaniard  not  daring  to  make  or  offer 
resistance. 

The  1 6th  day  there  appeared  unto  us  out  of  the 
woods  eight  horsemen  of  the  Spaniards,  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  our  fort,  sta\dng  about  half 
an  hour  in  viewing  our  forces:  but  as  soon  as  they 
saw  ten  of  our  shot  marching  towards  them,  they 
presently  retired  into  the  woods. 

The  19th  day  Master  Cavendish,  who  had  been 
separated  from  our  fleet  in  a  storm  in  the  Bay  of 
Portugal,  arrived  at  Cotesa,  within  the  sight  of  the 
Tiger.  We  thinking  him  afar  off  to  have  been  either 
a  Spaniard  or  a  Frenchman  of  war,  thought  it  good 
to  weigh  anchor  and  to  go  room  \\ith  him,  which  the 
Tiger  did,  and  discerned  him  at  last  to  be  one  of  our 
consorts,  for  joy  of  whose  coming  our  ships  discharged 
their  ordinance  and  saluted  him  according  to  the 
manner  of  the  seas. 

The  22nd  day  twenty  other  Spanish  horsemen 
showed  themselves  to  us  upon  the  other  side  of  the 
river ;  who  being  seen,  our  general  dispatched  twenty 
footmen  towards  them,  and  two  horsemen  of  ours, 
mounted  upon  Spanish  horses,  which  we  before  had 
taken  in  the  time  of  our  being  on  the  island.  They 
showed  to  our  men  a  flag  of  truce  and  made  signs  to 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  173 

have  a  parley  with  us:  whereupon  two  of  our  men 
went  half  of  the  v/ay  upon  the  sands  and  two  of  theirs 
came  and  met  them.  The  two  Spaniards  offered  ver^' 
great  sahitations  to  our  men,  but  began,  according  to 
their  Spanish  proud  humours,  to  expostulate  with 
them  about  their  arrival  and  fortifying  in  their  country, 
who  notwithstanding  by  our  men's  discreet  answers 
were  so  cooled  that  (whereas  they  were  told  that  our 
principal  intention  was  only  to  furnish  ourselves  with 
water  and  victuals  and  other  necessaries  whereof  we 
stood  in  need,  which  we  craved  might  be  yielded  us 
with  fair  and  friendly  means,  otherwise  our  resolution 
was  to  practise  force  and  to  relieve  ourselves  by  the 
sword)  the  Spaniards  in  conclusion,  seeing  our  men  so 
resolute,  }delded  to  our  requests  with  large  promises 
of  all  courtesy  and  great  favour,  and  so  our  men  and 
theirs  departed. 

The  23rd  day  our  pinnace  was  finished  and  launched ; 
which  being  done,  our  general  with  his  captains  and 
gentlemen  marched  up  into  the  country  about  the 
space  of  four  miles,  where  in  a  plain  marsh  the\' 
stayed,  expecting  the  coming  of  the  Spaniards  accord- 
ing to  their  promise,  to  furnish  us  with  victuals;  who 
keeping  their  old  custom  for  perjury  and  breach  of 
promise,  came  not;  whereupon  our  general  fired  the 
woods  thereabout,  and  so  retired  to  our  fort,  which 
the  same  day  was  fired  also  and  each  man  came  aboard 
to  be  ready  to  set  sail  the  next  morning. 

The  29th  day  we  set  sail  from  Saint  John's,  being 
many  of  us  stung  before  upon  shore  with  the  mos- 
quitoes :  but  the  same  night  we  took  a  Spanish  frigate, 
which  was  forsaken  by  the  Spaniards  on  the  sight  of 
us,  and  the  next  day  in  the  morning  very  earlv,  we 
took  another  frigate  with  good  and  rich  freight  and 


174  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

divers  Spaniards  of  account  in  lier,  which  afterwards 
we  ransomed  for  good  round  sums,  and  landed  them 
in  S.  John's. 

The  26th  day  our  Ueutenant,  Master  Ralph  Lane, 
went  in  one  of  the  frigates  which  we  had  taken,  to 
Roxo  Bay,  upon  the  south-west  side  of  Saint  John's,  to 
fetch  salt,  being  thither  conducted  by  a  Spanish  pilot. 
As  soon  as  he  arrived  there  he  landed  with  his  men, 
to  the  number  of  twenty,  and  entrenched  himself 
upon  the  sands  immediately,  compassing  one  of  their 
salt-hills  within  the  trench:  who  being  seen  of  the 
Spaniards,  there  came  down  towards  him  two  or  three 
troops  of  horsemen  and  footmen,  who  gave  him  the 
looking  and  gazing  on,  but  durst  not  come  near  him 
to  offer  any  resistance,  so  that  Master  Lane,  maugre 
their  troops,  carried  their  salt  aboard  and  loaded  his 
frigate,  and  so  returned  again  to  our  fleet  the  29th 
day,  which  rode  at  S.  Germain's  Bay.  The  same  day 
we  all  departed  and  the  next  day  arrived  in  the  island 
of  Hispaniola. 


June 

The  ist  day  of  June  we  anchored  at  Isabella,  on  the 
north  side  of  Hispaniola. 

The  3rd  day  of  June,  the  governor  of  Isabella  and 
captain  of  the  Port  de  Plata,  being  certified  by  the 
reports  of  sundry  Spaniards  who  had  been  well  enter- 
tained aboard  our  ships  by  our  general,  that  in  our 
fleet  were  many  brave  and  gallant  gentlemen  who 
greatly  desired  to  see  the  governor  aforesaid,  he  there- 
upon sent  gentle  commendations  to  our  general,  pro- 

Maugre.   In  defiance  of. 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  175 

mising  within  few  days  to  come  to  him  in  person, 
which  he  performed  accordingly. 

The  5th  day  the  aforesaid  governor,  accompanied 
with  a  lusty  friar,  and  twenty  other  Spaniards,  with 
their  servants  and  negroes,  came  down  to  the  sea- 
side where  our  ships  rode  at  anchor,  who  being  seen, 
our  general  manned  immediately  the  most  part  of  his 
boats  with  the  chief  men  of  our  fleet,  every  man 
appointed  and  furnished  in  the  best  sort:  at  the 
landing  of  our  general,  the  Spanish  governor  received 
him  very  courteously  and  the  Spanish  gentlemen 
saluted  our  Enghsh  gentlemen,  and  their  inferior  sort 
did  also  salute  our  soldiers  and  seamen,  liking  our 
men  and  likewise  their  quahties,  although  at  the  first 
they  seemed  to  stand  in  fear  of  us,  and  of  so  many  of 
our  boats,  whereof  they  desired  that  all  might  not  land 
their  men,  yet  in  the  end,  the  courtesies  that  passed 
on  both  sides  were  so  great  that  all  fear  and  mistrust 
on  the  Spaniards'  part  was  abandoned. 

In  the  meantime,  while  our  English  general  and  the 
Spanish  governor  discoursed  bet\\dxt  them  of  divers 
matters,  as  of  the  state  of  the  country,  the  multitude 
of  the  towns  and  people,  and  the  commodities  of  the 
island,  our  men  provided  two  banqueting  houses 
covered  with  green  boughs,  the  one  for  the  gentlemen, 
the  other  for  the  servants,  and  a  sumptuous  banquet 
was  brought  in,  served  by  us  all  in  plate,  ^vith  the 
sound  of  trumpets  and  concert  of  music,  wherewith 
the  Spaniards  were  more  than  delighted. 

Which  banquet  being  ended,  the  Spaniards,  in  re- 
compense of  our  courtesy,  caused  a  great  herd  of 
white  bulls  and  kine  to  be  brought  together  from  the 
mountains,  and  appointed  for  every  gentleman  and 
captain  that  would  ride,  a  horse  ready  saddled,  and 


176  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

then  singled  out  three  of  the  best  of  them  to  be  hunted 
by  horsemen  after  their  manner,  so  that  the  pastime 
grew  very  pleasant  for  the  space  of  three  hours,  where- 
in all  three  of  the  beasts  were  killed,  whereof  one  took 
the  sea  and  there  was  slain  with  a  musket. 

After  this  sport  many  rare  presents  and  gifts  were 
given  and  bestowed  on  both  parts,  and  the  next  day 
we  played  the  merchants  in  bargaining  with  them  by 
way  of  truck  and  exchange  of  divers  of  their  com- 
modities, as  horses,  mares,  kine,  bulls,  goats,  swine, 
sheep,  bull-hides,  sugar,  ginger,  pearl,  tobacco  and 
such-like  commodities  of  the  island. 

The  7th  day  we  departed  with  great  goodwill  from 
the  Spaniards  from  the  island  of  Hispaniola:  but  the 
wiser  sort  do  impute  this  great  show  of  friendship  and 
courtesy  used  towards  us  by  the  Spaniards,  rather  to 
the  force  that  we  were  of,  and  the  vigilance  and  watch- 
fulness that  was  amongst  us,  than  to  any  hearty  good- 
will or  sure  friendly  entertainment:  for  doubtless  if 
they  had  been  stronger  than  we,  we  might  have  looked 
for  no  better  courtesy  at  their  hands  than  Master  John 
Hawkins  received  at  Saint  John  de  UUoa,  or  John 
Oxenham  near  the  Straits  of  Darien,  and  divers  of 
our  countrymen  in  other  places. 

The  8th  day  we  anchored  at  a  small  island  to  take 
seals,  v/hich  in  that  place  we  understood  to  have  been 
in  great  quantity,  where  the  general,  and  certain 
others  with  him  in  the  pinnace,  were  in  very  great 
danger  to  have  been  all  cast  away,  but  by  the  help  of 
God  they  escaped  the  hazard  and  returned  aboard  the 
admiral  in  safety. 

The  9th  day  we  arrived  and  landed  in  the  isle  of 
Cacos,  in  which  island  we  searched  for  salt  ponds 
upon  the  advertisement  and  information  of  a  Portu- 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  177 

guese;  who,  indeed,  abused  our  general  and  us, 
deserving  a  halter  for  his  hire,  if  it  had  so  pleased  us. 

The  I2th  we  anchored  at  Guanima  and  landed. 

The  15th  and  i6th  we  anchored  and  landed  at 
Cyguateo. 

The  20th  we  fell  with  the  main  of  Florida. 

The  23rd  we  were  in  great  danger  of  a  wreck  on  a 
beach  called  the  Cape  of  Fear. 

The  24th  we  came  to  anchor  in  a  harbour,  where  we 
caught  in  one  tide  so  much  fish  as  would  have  yielded 
us  twent}^  pounds  in  London!  This  was  our  first 
landing  in  Florida. 

The  26th  we  came  to  anchor  at  Wococon. 

The  29th  we  weighed  anchor  to  bring  the  Tiger  into 
the  harbour,  where  through  the  unskilfulness  of  the 
master,  whose  name  was  Fernando,  the  admiral  struck 
on  ground  and  sunk. 

The  3rd  we  sent  word  of  our  arriving  at  \^'ococon 
to  Wingina  at  Roanoak. 

The  6th,  Mr.  John  Arundell  was  sent  to  the  main,  and 
Manteo  with  him;  and  Captain  Aubrey  and  Captain 
Boniten  the  same  day  were  sent  to  Croat oan,  where 
they  found  two  of  our  men  left  there  with  thirty  other 
by  Captain  Raymond  some  twenty  days  before. 

The  8th,  Captain  Aubrey-  and  Captain  Boniten 
returned  with  two  of  our  men,  found  bv  them,  to  us 
at  Wococon. 

The  nth  day  the  general,  accompanied  in  his  tilt- 
boat  with  Master  John  Arundell,  j\ faster  Stukelev  and 
divers  other  gentlemen.  Master  Lane,  Master  Cavendish, 
Master  Hariot  and  twenty  others  in  the  new  pinnace. 
Captain  Amadas,  Captain  Clarke,  with  ten  others  in 
a  ship  boat,  Francis  Brooke  and  John  Wliite  in  another 
ship  boat,  passed  over  the  water  from  Wococon  to 


178  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  mainland,  victualled  for  eight  days,  in  which 
voyage  we  first  discovered  the  towns  of  Pomeiok, 
Aquascogok  and  Secotan,  and  also  the  great  lake 
called  b\^  the  savages  Paquipe,  with  divers  other 
places,  and  so  returned  with  that  discovery  to  our 
fleet. 

The  I2th  we  came  to  the  town  of  Pomeiok. 

The  13th  we  passed  by  water  to  Aquascogok. 

The  15th  we  came  to  Secotan,  and  were  well  enter- 
tained there  of  the  savages. 

The  i6th  we  returned  thence,  and  one  of  our  boats, 
with  the  admiral,  was  sent  to  Aquascogok,  to  demand 
a  silver  cup  which  one  of  the  savages  had  stolen  from 
us,  and  not  receiving  it  according  to  his  promise,  we 
burnt  and  spoiled  their  com  and  town,  all  the  people 
being  fled. 

The  i8th  we  returned  from  the  discovery  of  Secotan 
and  the  same  day  came  aboard  our  fleet  riding  at 
Wococon. 

The  2ist,  our  fleet  anchoring  at  Wococon,  we  weighed 
anchor  for  Hatorask. 

The  27th  our  fleet  anchored  at  Hatorask,  and  there 
we  rested. 

The  29th,  Grangino,  brother  to  King  Wingina,  came 
aboard  the  admiral,  and  Manteo  with  him. 

The  2nd  the  admiral  was  sent  to  Weapomeiok. 

The  5th,  Mr.  John  Arundell  w'as  sent  for  England. 

The  25th  our  general  weighed  anchor  and  set  sail 
for  England. 

About  the  31st,  he  took  a  Spanish  ship  of  three 
hundred  ton,  richly  laden,  boarding  her  with  a  boat 
made  with  boards  of  chests,  which  fell  asunder  and 
sunk  at  the  ship's  side,  as  soon  as  ever  he  and  his  men 
were  out  of  it. 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  179 

The  loth  of  September  by  foul  weather  the  general, 
then  shipped  in  the  prize,  lost  sight  of  the  Tiger. 

The  i6th  the  Tiger  fell  with  the  Land's  End,  and 
the  same  day  came  to  anchor  at  Falmouth. 

The  i8th  the  general  came  with  the  prize  to  Ply- 
mouth, and  was  courteously  received  by  divers  of  his 
worshipful  friends. 

An  extract  of  Master  Ralph  Lanes  letter  to  M.  Richard 
Hakluyt,  Esquire,  and  another  gentleman  of  the 
Middle  Temple,  from  Virginia. 

In  the  meanwhile  you  shall  understand  that  since  Sir 
Richard  Granville's  departure  from  us,  as  also  before, 
we  have  discovered  the  main  to  be  the  goodliest  isle  under 
the  cope  of  heaven,  so  abounding  with  sweet  trees  that 
bring  such  sundry  rich  and  pleasant  gums,  grapes  of  such 
greatness,  yet  wild,  as  France,  Spain,  nor  Ital}-  have  no 
greater,  so  many  sorts  of  apothecary  drugs,  such  several 
kinds  of  flax,  and  one  kind  like  silk,  the  same  gathered 
of  a  grass  as  common  there  as  grass  is  here.  And  now 
within  these  few  days  we  have  found  here  maize  or  Guinea 
wheat,  whose  ear  yieldeth  corn  for  bread  four  hundred 
upon  one  ear,  and  the  cane  maketh  very  good  and  perfect 
sugar.  Besides  that,  it  is  the  goodliest  and  most  pleasing 
territor^^  of  the  world:  for  the  continent  is  of  a  huge 
and  unknown  greatness  and  very  well  peopled  and  towned, 
though  sa\-agely,  and  the  climate  so  wholesome  that  we 
had  not  one  sick  since  we  touched  the  land  here. 

To  conclude,  if  Virginia  had  but  horses  and  kine  in 
some  reasonable  proportion,  I  dare  assure  myself,  being 
inhabited  with  English,  no  realm  in  Christendom  were 
comparable  to  it.  For  tliis  already  we  find  that  what 
commodities  soever  Spain,  France,  Italy  or  the  east 
parts  do  yield  unto  us.  in  wines  of  all  sorts,  in  oils,  in 
flax,  in  rosins,  pitch,  franlcincense,  currants,  sugars,  and 
such-like,  these  parts  do  abound  with  the  growth  of 
them  all,  but  being  savages  that  possess  the  land,  thev 


i8o       STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

know  no  use  of  the  same.  And  sundry  other  rich  com- 
modities that  no  parts  of  the  v/orld,  be  they  West  or 
East  Indies,  have,  here  we  nnd  great  abundance  of. 

The  people  naturally  are  most  courteous  and  very 
desirous  to  have  clothes,  but  especially  of  coarse  cloth 
rather  than  silk;  coarse  canvas  they  also  like  well  of,  but 
copper  carrieth  the  price  of  all,  so  it  be  made  red.  Thus, 
good  ]Mr.  Hakluyt  and  Mr.  H.,  I  have  joined  you  both  in 
one  letter  of  remembrance,  as  two  that  I  love  dearly  well, 
and  commending  me  most  heartily  to  you  both,  I  commit 
you  to  the  tuition  of  the  Alm.ighty.  From  the  new  fort 
in  Virginia,  this  third  of  September,  1585. 
Your  most  assured  friend, 

Ralph  Lane. 


CAVENDISH'S  VOYAGE  TO  THE 
SOUTH  SEAS 


The  last  voyage  of  the  worsJiipful  M.  Thomas  Cavendish, 
Esquire,  intended  for  the  South  Sea,  the  Philippines, 
and  the  coast  of  China,  with  three  tall  ships  and 
two  barks.  Written  by  M.  John  Lane,  a  man  of 
good  observation,  employed  in  the  same  and  many 
other  voyages. 


The  26th  of  August,  1591,  we  departed  from  Plv- 
moutli  with  three  tall  ships  and  two  barks,  the  galleon, 
wherein  M.  Ca\'endish  went  himself,  being  admiral, 
the  Roebuck  vice-admiral,  whereof  M.  Cocke  was 
captain,  the  Desire  rear-admiral,  whereof  was  captain 
]\I.  John  Davis  (witli  whom  and  for  whose  sake  I  went 
this  voyage),  the  Black  Pinnace,  and  a  bark  of  M. 
Adrian  Gilbert,  whereof  ]\I.  Randolf  Cotton  was  captain. 

Tiie  29th  of  November  we  fell  with  the  Ba\'  of 
Salvador  upon  the  coast  of  Brazil,  twelve  leagues  on 
this  side  Cabo  Frio,  where  we  were  becalmed  until  the 
2nd  of  December,  at  which  time  we  took  a  small  bark 
bound  for  the  River  of  Plate  with  sugar,  haberdash 
wares  and  negroes.  The  master  of  this  bark  brought 
us  unto  an  isle  called  Placencia,  thirty  leagues  west 
from  Cabo  Frio,  where  we  arrived  the  5th  of  December 
and  rifled  six  or  seven,  houses  inhabited  by  Portugals. 
The  nth,  we  departed  from  this  place,  and  the  14th 
we  arrived  at  the  isle  of  S.  Sebastian,  from  whence 
Cavendish.  The  third  circumnavigator  of  the  globe. 
181 


i82  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

M.  Cocke  and  Captain  Davis  presently  departed  with 
the  Desire  and  the  Black  Pinnace  for  the  taking  of  the 
town  of  Santos.  The  15th  at  evening  we  anchored  at 
the  bar  of  Santos  from  whence  we  departed  with  our 
boats  to  the  town,  and  the  next  morning  about  nine 
of  the  clock  we  came  to  Santos,  where  being  dis- 
covered, we  were  enforced  to  land  with  twenty-four 
gentlemen,  our  long-boat  being  far  astern,  by  which 
expedition  we  took  all  the  people  of  the  town  at 
Mass,  both  men  and  women,  whom  we  kept  all  that 
day  in  the  church  as  prisoners.  The  cause  why 
Master  Cavendish  desired  to  take  this  town  was  to 
supply  his  great  wants,  for  being  in  Santos,  and  having 
it  in  quiet  possession,  we  stood  in  assurance  to  supply 
aU  our  needs  in  great  abundance.  But  such  was  the 
negligence  of  our  governor  Master  Cocke,  that  the 
Indians  were  suffered  to  carry  out  of  the  town  what- 
soever they  would  in  open  view,  and  no  man  did  control 
them,  and  the  next  da\^  after  we  had  won  the  town, 
our  prisoners  were  all  set  at  liberty,  only  four  poor 
old  men  were  kept  as  pawns  to  supply  our  wants. 
Thus  in  three  days  the  town  that  was  able  to  furnish 
such  another  fleet  with  all  kinds  of  necessaries  was  left 
unto  us  nakedly  bare,  without  people  and  provision. 

Eight  or  ten  days  after,  Master  Cavendish  himself 
came  thither,  where  he  remained  until  the  22nd  of 
January,  seeking  entreaty  to  have  that  whereof  we 
were  once  possessed.  But  in  conclusion  we  departed 
out  of  the  town  through  extreme  want  of  victual, 
not  being  able  any  longer  to  live  there,  and  were  glad 
to  receive  a  few  canisters  or  baskets  of  cassava-meal^ 
so  that  in  every  condition  we  went  worse  furnished 
from  the  town  than  when  we  came  unto  it.  The  22nd 
of  January  we  departed  from  Santos  and  burnt  S.  Vin- 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  183 

cent  to  the  ground.  The  24th  we  set  sail,  shaping  our 
course  for  the  Straits  of  Magellan. 

The  7th  of  February  we  had  a  very  great  storm,  and 
the  8th  our  fleet  was  separated  by  the  fury  of  the 
tempest.  Then  our  captain  called  unto  him  the  master 
of  our  ship  whom  he  found  to  be  a  very  honest  and 
sufficient  man,  and  conferring  with  him  he  concluded 
to  go  for  Port  Desire,  which  is  m  the  southerly  latitude 
of  48  degrees;  hoping  that  the  general  would  come 
thither,  because  that  in  his  first  voyage  he  had  found 
great  rehef  there.  For  our  captain  could  never  get 
any  direction  what  course  to  take  in  any  such  extrem- 
ities, though  many  times  he  had  entreated  for  it,  as 
often  I  have  heard  him  with  grief  report.  In  saiUng 
to  this  port  by  good  chance  we  met  with  the  Roebuck, 
wherein  Master  Cocke  had  endured  great  extremities, 
and  had  lost  his  boat,  and  therefore  desired  our 
captain  to  keep  him  company,  for  he  was  in  verv 
desperate  case.  Our  captain  hoisted  out  his  boat  and 
went  aboard  him  to  know  his  estate,  and  returning 
told  us  the  hardness  thereof,  and  desired  the  master 
and  all  the  company  to  be  careful  in  all  their  watches 
not  to  lose  the  Roebuck,  and  so  we  both  arrived  at 
Port  Desire  the  6th  of  March. 

The  i6th  of  March  the  Black  Pinnace  came  unto  us, 
but  Master  Gilbert's  bark  came  not,  but  returned 
home  to  England,  having  their  captain  aboard  the 
Rochick  \vithout  any  provision  more  than  the  apparel 
that  he  wore,  who  came  from  thence  aboard  our  ship 
to  remain  ^^'ith  our  captain  by  reason  of  the  great 
friendship  between  them.  The  iSth  the  galleon  came 
into  the  road,  and  Master  Cavendish  came  into  the 
harbour  in  a  boat  which  he  had  made  at  sea;  for  his 
long-boat  and  light-horseman  were  lost  at  sea,  as  also 


i84  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

a  pinnace  which  he  had  built  at  Santos;  and  being 
aboard  the  Desire  he  told  our  captain  of  all  his  ex- 
tremities, and  spake  most  hardly  of  his  company,  and 
of  divers  gentlemen  that  were  with  him,  purposing  no 
more  to  go  aboard  his  own  ship,  but  to  stay  in  the 
Desire.  We  all  sorrowed  to  hear  such  hard  speeches 
of  our  good  friends,  but  having  spoken  with  the  gentle- 
men of  the  galleon  we  found  them  faithful,  honest  and 
resolute  in  proceeding,  although  it  please  our  general 
otherwise  to  conceive  of  them. 

The  20th  of  March  we  departed  from  Port  Desire, 
Master  Cavendish  being  in  the  Desire  with  us.  The 
8th  of  April,  1592,  we  fell  with  the  Straits  of  Magellan, 
enduring  many  furious  storms  between  Port  Desire 
and  the  Strait.  The  14th  we  passed  through  the  first 
strait.  The  i6th  we  passed  the  second  strait,  being 
ten  leagues  distant  from  the  first.  The  i8th  we 
doubled  Cape  Froward,  which  cape  lies  in  53  degrees 
and  J.  The  21st  we  were  enforced  by  the  fury  of  the 
weather  to  put  into  a  small  cove  with  our  ships  four 
leagues  from  the  said  cape  upon  the  south  shore, 
where  we  remained  until  the  15th  of  May.  In  the  which 
time  we  endured  extreme  storms  with  perpetual  snow, 
where  many  of  our  men  died  with  cursed  famine  and 
miserable  cold,  not  having  wherewith  to  cover  their 
bodies,  nor  to  fill  their  bellies,  but  living  by  mussels, 
water  and  weeds  of  the  sea,  with  a  small  relief  of  the 
ship's  store  in  meal  sometimes.  And  all  the  sick  men 
in  the  galleon  were  most  uncharitably  put  ashore  into 
the  woods  in  the  snow,  rain  and  cold  when  men  of 
good  health  could  scarcely  endure  it,  where  they  ended 
their  lives  in  the  highest  degree  of  misery.  Master 
Cavendish  all  this  while  being  aboard  the  Desire. 

In  these  great  extremities  of  snow  and  cold,  doubting 


I 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  185 

what  the  end  would  be,  he  asked  our  captain's  opinion 
because  he  was  a  man  that  had  good  experience  of  the 
north-west  parts,  in  his  three  several  discoveries  that 
way,  employed  by  the  merchants  of  London.  Our 
captain  told  him  that  this  snow  was  a  matter  of  no 
long  continuance  and  gave  him  sufficient  reason  for 
it,  and  that  thereby  he  could  not  much  be  prejudiced 
or  hindered  in  his  proceeding.  Notwithstanding  he 
called  together  all  the  company  and  told  them  that 
he  purposed  not  to  stay  in  the  Straits,  but  to  depart 
upon  some  other  voyage,  or  else  to  return  again  for 
Brazil.  But  his  resolution  was  to  go  for  the  Cape  of 
Buena  Esperanza. 

The  company  answered,  that  if  it  pleased  him,  they 
did  desire  to  stay  God's  favour  for  a  wind,  and  to 
endure  all  hardness  whatsoever,  rather  than  to  give 
over  the  voyage,  considering  they  had  been  here  but 
a  small  time,  and  because  they  were  within  forty 
leagues  of  the  South  Sea,  it  grieved  them  now  to 
return;  not\\ithstanding  what  he  purposed  that  they 
would  perform.  So  he  concluded  to  go  for  the  Cape 
of  Buena  Esperanza,  and  to  give  over  this  voyage. 

Then  our  captain,  after  Master  Cavendish  was  come 
aboard  the  Desire  from  talking  ^\'ith  the  company, 
told  him  that  if  it  pleased  him  to  consider  the  great 
extremity  of  his  estate,  the  slenderness  of  his  provi- 
sions, \\-ith  the  weakness  of  his  men,  it  was  no  course 
for  him  to  proceed  in  that  new  enterprise:  "  For  if  the 
rest  of  your  ships,"  said  he,  "be  furnished  answer- 
able to  this,  it  is  impossible  to  perform  your  deter- 
mination: for  we  have  no  more  sails  than  masts,  no 
victuals,  no  ground-tackUng,  no  cordage  more  than  is 
overhead,  and  among  sevent}'  and  five  persons  there 
is  but  the  master  alone  that  can  order  the  ship,  and 


i86  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

but  fourteen  sailors.  The  rest  are  gentlemen,  serving- 
men  and  artificers.  Therefore  it  will  be  a  desperate 
case  to  take  so  hard  an  enterprise  in  hand."  These 
persuasions  did  our  captain  not  only  use  to  Master 
Cavendish  but  also  to  Master  Cocke.  In  fine  upon  a 
petition  delivered  in  writing  by  the  chief  of  the  whole 
company,  the  general  determined  to  depart  out  of  the 
Straits  of  Magellan,  and  to  return  again  for  Santos  in 
Brazil. 

So  the  15th  of  May  we  set  sail,  the  general  then 
being  in  the  galleon.  The  i8th  we  were  free  of  the 
Straits,  but  at  Cape  Froward  it  was  our  hard  hap  to 
have  our  boat  sunk  at  our  stern  in  the  night,  and  to 
be  split  and  sore  spoiled,  and  to  lose  all  our  oars. 

The  20th  of  May,  being  thwart  of  Port  Desire,  in 
the  night  the  general  altered  his  course,  as  we  suppose, 
by  which  occasion  we  lost  him:  for  in  the  evening  he 
stood  close  by  a  wind  to  seaward,  having  the  wind  at 
north-north-east,  and  we  standing  the  same  way,  the 
wind  not  altering,  could  not  the  next  day  see  him:  so 
that  we  then  persuaded  ourselves  that  he  was  gone 
for  Port  Desire  to  relieve  himself,  or  that  he  had 
sustained  some  mischance  at  sea,  and  was  gone  thither 
to  remedy  it. 

Whereupon  our  captain  called  the  general's  men 
unto  him,  with  the  rest,  and  asked  their  opinion  what 
was  to  be  done.  Everyone  said  that  they  thought 
that  the  general  was  gone  for  Port  Desire.  Then  the 
master,  being  the  general's  man,  and  careful  of  his 
master's  service,  as  also  of  good  judgment  in  sea  mat- 
ters, told  the  company  how  dangerous  it  was  to  go  for 
Port  Desire,  if  we  should  there  miss  the  general:  "  For," 
said  he,  "  we  have  no  boat  to  land  ourselves,  nor 
any  cables,  nor  anchors  that  I  dare  trust  in  so  quick 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  187 

streams  as  are  there  " :  yet  in  all  likelihood  concluding 
that  the  general  was  gone  thither,  we  stayed  our  course 
for  Port  Desire,  and  by  chance  met  with  the  Black 
Pinnace,  which  had  likewise  lost  the  fleet,  being  in 
very  miserable  case:  so  we  both  concluded  to  seek 
the  general  at  Port  Desire. 

The  26th  day  of  May  we  came  to  Port  Desire, 
where  not  finding  our  general,  as  we  hoped,  being 
most  slenderly  \'ictualled,  \nthout  sails,  boat,  oars, 
nails,  cordage  and  all  other  necessaries  for  our  relief, 
we  were  stricken  into  a  deadly  sorrow.  But  referring 
all  to  the  providence  and  fatherly  protection  of  the 
Almighty,  we  entered  the  harbour,  and  by  God's 
favour  found  a  place  of  quiet  road,  which  before  we 
knew  not.  Having  moored  our  ship,  with  the  Pinnace's 
boat  we  landed  upon  the  south  shore,  where  we  found 
a  standing  pool  of  fresh  water,  which  by  estimation 
might  hold  some  ten  tons,  whereby  we  were  greatlv 
comforted.  From  this  pool  we  fetched  more  than 
forty  tons  of  water,  and  yet  we  left  the  pool  as  full 
as  we  found  it.  And  because  at  our  first  being  in  this 
harbour  we  were  at  this  place  and  found  no  water, 
we  persuaded  ourselves  that  God  had  sent  it  for  our 
relief.  Also,  there  were  such  extraordinary  low  ebbs 
as  we  had  never  seen,  whereby  we  got  mussels  in  great 
plenty.  Likewise  God  sent  about  our  ships  great 
abundance  of  smelts,  so  that  with  hooks  made  of  pins 
every  man  caught  as  many  as  he  could  eat :  by  which 
means  we  preserved  our  ship's  victuals,  and  spent  not 
any  during  the  time  of  our  abode  here. 

Our  captain  and  master  falling  into  the  consideration 
of  our  estate  and  dispatch  to  go  to  the  general,  found 
our  wants  so  great,  as  that  in  a  month  we  could  not  fit 
our  ship  id  set  sail.   For  we  must  needs  set  up  a  smith's 


i88  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

forge,  to  make  bolts,  spikes  and  nails,  besides  the  re- 
pairing of  our  other  wants.  Whereupon  they  concluded 
it  to  be  their  best  course  to  take  the  Pinnace,  and  to 
furnish  her  with  the  best  of  the  company,  and  to  go 
to  the  general  with  all  expedition,  leaving  the  ship 
and  the  rest  of  the  company  until  the  general's  return  ; 
for  he  had  avowed  to  our  captain,  that  he  would  return 
again  for  the  Straits,  as  he  had  told  us.  The  captain 
and  master  of  the  Pinnace  being  the  general's  men 
were  well-contented  with  the  motion. 

But  the  general  having  in  our  ship  two  most  pestilent 
fellows,  when  they  heard  of  this  determination  they 
utterly  misliked  it,  and  in  secret  dealt  with  the  com- 
pany of  both  ships,  vehemently  persuading  them,  that 
our  captain  and  master  would  leave  them  in  the 
country  to  be  devoured  of  the  cannibals,  and  that  they 
were  merciless  and  without  charity:  whereupon  the 
whole  company  joined  in  secret  with  them  in  a  night 
to  murder  our  captain  and  master,  with  myself,  and  all 
those  they  thought  were  their  friends.  There  were 
marks  taken  in  his  cabin  how  to  kill  him  with  muskets 
through  the  ship's  side,  and  bullets  made  of  silver  for 
the  execution,  if  their  other  purposes  should  fail. 
All  agreed  hereunto,  except  it  were  the  boatswain  of 
our  ship,  who  when  he  knew  the  matter,  and  the  slender 
ground  thereof,  revealed  it  unto  our  master,  and  so  to 
the  captain.  Then  the  matter  being  called  in  question, 
those  two  most  murderous  fellows  were  found  out, 
whose  names  were  Charles  Parker  and  Edward  Smith. 

The  captain  being  thus  hardly  beset  in  peril  of 
famine,  and  in  danger  of  murdering,  was  constrained 
to  use  leniency,  and  by  courteous  means  to  pacify 
this  fury:  showing,  that  to  do  the  general  service, 
unto  whom  he  had  vowed  faith  in  this  action,  was  the 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  189 

cause  why  he  purposed  to  go  unto  him  in  the  Pinnace, 
considering,  that  the  Pinnace  was  so  necessary  a  thing 
for  him,  as  that  he  could  not  be  without  her,  because 
he  was  fearful  of  the  shore  in  so  great  ships.  Where- 
upon all  cried  out  with  cursing  and  swearing,  that  the 
Pinnace  should  not  go  unless  the  ship  went.  Then  the 
captain  desired  them  to  show  themselves  Christians, 
and  not  so  blasphemoush'  to  behave  themselves,  with- 
out regard  or  thanksgiving  to  God  for  their  great 
deliverance,  and  present  sustenance  bestowed  upon 
them,  alleging  m^any  examples  of  God's  sharp  punish- 
ment for  such  ingratitude ;  and  withal  promised  to  do 
anything  that  might  stand  with  their  good  liking. 
By  which  gentle  speeches  the  matter  was  pacified,  and 
the  captain  and  master  at  the  request  of  the  company- 
were  content  to  forgive  this  great  treachery  of  Parker 
and  Smith,  who  after  manv  admonitions  concluded 
in  these  words:  "The  Lord  judge  between  3-ou  and 
me  ":  which  after  came  to  a  most  sharp  revenge  even 
by  the  punishment  of  the  Almighty. 

Thus  by  a  general  consent  it  was  concluded  not  to 
depart,  but  there  to  stay  for  the  general's  return.  Then 
our  captain  and  master,  seeing  that  they  could  not  do 
the  general  that  service  which  they  desired,  made  a 
motion  to  the  company,  that  they  would  lay  down 
under  their  hands  the  losing  of  the  general,  with  the 
extremities  wherein  we  then  stood;  whereunto  thev 
consented,  and  wrote  under  their  hands  as  followeth. 

The  testimonial  of  the  company  of  the  "  Desire  "  touching 
their  losing  of  their  general.  ■ix.:hich  appeareth  to  have 
been  utterly  against  their  meanings: 

The  26th  of  August,  1591,  we,  whose  names  be  here- 
under written,  with  divers  others  departed  from  Ply- 
mouth  under  M.    Thomas   Cavendish   our  general,    with 


190  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

four  ships  of  his,  to  wit,  the  Galleon,  the  Roebuck,  the 
Desire,  and  the  Black  Pinnace,  for  the  performance  of 
a  voyage  into  the  South  Sea.  The  19th  of  November  we 
fell  with  the  Bay  of  Salvador  in  Brazil.  The  i6th  of 
December  we  took  the  town  of  Santos,  hoping  there  to 
revictual  ourselves,  but  it  fell  not  out  to  our  contentment. 
The  24th  of  January  we  set  sail  from  Santos,  shaping  our 
course  for  the  Straits  of  Magellan.  The  8th  of  February 
by  violent  storms  the  said  fleet  was  parted;  the  Roebuck 
and  the  Desire  arrived  in  Port  Desire  the  6th  of  March. 
The  1 6th  of  March,  the  Black  Pinnace  arrived  there  also: 
and  the  i8th  of  the  same  our  admiral  came  into  the  road; 
with  whom  we  departed  the  20th  of  March  in  poor  and 
weak  estate.  The  8th  of  April,  1592,  we  entered  the 
Straits  of  Magellan.  The  21st  of  April  we  anchored  be- 
yond Cape  Froward,  within  forty  leagues  of  the  South 
Sea,  where  we  rode  until  the  15th  of  May.  In  which  time 
we  had  great  store  of  snow  with  some  gusty  weather,  the 
wind  continuing  still  at  west-north-west  against  us.  In 
this  time  we  were  enforced  for  the  preserving  of  our 
victuals,  to  live  the  most  part  upon  mussels,  our  pro- 
vision was  so  slender;  so  that  many  of  our  men  died  in 
this  hard  extremity' .  Then  our  general  returned  for 
Brazil  there  to  winter,  and  to  procure  victuals  for  this 
voyage  against  the  next  year.  So  we  departed  the  Straits 
the  15th  of  May.  The  21st  being  thwart  of  Port  Desire 
thirty  leagues  off  the  shore,  the  wind  then  at  north-east 
and  by  north,  at  five  of  the  clock  at  night  lying  north- 
east, we  suddenly  cast  about,  lying  south-east  and  by 
south,  and  sometimes  south-east:  the  whole  fleet  following 
the  admiral,  our  ship  coming  under  his  lee  shot  ahead 
him,  and  so  framed  sail  fit  to  keep  company.  This  night 
we  were  severed,  by  what  occasion  we  protest  we  know 
not,  whether  we  lost  them  or  they  us.  In  the  morning  we 
only  saw  the  Black  Pinnace,  then  supposing  that  the 
admiral  had  overshot  us.  All  this  day  we  stood  to  the 
eastwards,  hoping  to  find  him,  because  it  was  not  likely 
that  he  would  stand  to  the  shore  again  so  suddenly.  But 
missing  him  towards  night,  we  stood  to  the  shoreward, 
hoping  by  that  course  to  find  him.     The  22nd  of  May  at 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  191 

night  we  had  a  violent  storm,  with  the  wind  at  north- 
west, and  we  were  enforced  to  hull,  not  being  able  to  bear 
sail,  and  this  night  we  perished  our  main  trestle-trees, 
so  that  we  could  no  more  use  our  main  topsail,  lying 
most  dangerously  in  the  sea.  The  Pinnace  likewise 
received  a  grert  leak,  so  that  we  were  enforced  to  seek 
the  next  shore  for  our  relief.  And  because  famine  was 
hke  to  be  the  best  end,  we  desired  to  go  for  Port  Desire, 
hop)ing  with  seals  and  penguins  to  relieve  ourselves,  and 
so  to  make  shift  to  follow  the  general,  or  there  to  stay 
his  coming  from  Brazil.  The  24th  of  May  we  had  much 
wind  at  north.  The  23th  was  calm,  and  the  sea  ver\'  lofty, 
so  that  our  ship  had  dangerous  foul  weather.  The  26th 
our  fore-shrouds  broke,  so  that  if  we  had  not  been  near 
the  shore  it  had  been  impossible  for  us  to  get  out  of  the 
sea.  And  now  being  here  moored  in  Port  Desire,  our 
shrouds  are  all  rotten,  not  having  a  running  rope  whereto 
we  may  trust,  and  being  provided  only  of  one  shift  of 
sails  all  worn,  our  topsails  not  able  to  abide  any  stress 
of  weather,  neither  have  we  any  pitch,  tar  or  nails,  nor 
any  store  for  the  supplying  of  these  wants;  and  we  live 
only  upon  seals  and  mussels,  having  but  live  hogsheads 
of  pork  within  board,  and  meal  three  ounces  for  a  man  a 
day,  with  water  for  to  drink.  And  forasmuch  as  it  hath 
pleased  God  to  separate  our  fleet,  and  to  bring  us  into 
such  hard  extremities,  that  only  now  by  His  mere  mercy 
we  expect  relief,  though  otherwise  we  are  hopeless  of 
comfort,  yet  because  the  wonderful  works  of  God  in  His 
exceeding  great  favour  toward  us  His  creatures  are  far 
beyond  the  scope  of  man's  capacity,  therefore,  by  Him 
we  hope  to  have  deUverance  in  this  our  deep  distress. 
Also  forasmuch  as  those  upon  whom  God  will  bestow  the 
ia\'Our  of  life,  with  return  home  to  their  country,  may 
not  only  themselves  remain  blameless,  but  also  manifest 
the  truth  of  our  actions,  we  have  thought  good  in  Christian 
charity  to  lay  down  under  our  hands  the  truth  of  all  our 
proceedings  even  till  the  time  of  this  our  distress. 

Given  in  Port  Desire  the  2nd  of  June,  15Q2.  Beseecking 
the  Abnighty  God  of  His  ry^ercy  to  deliver  us  from  this 
misery,  how  or  when  it  shall  please  His  Divine  Majesty. 


192  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

After  they  had  delivered  this  relation  unto  our 
captain  under  their  hands,  then  we  began  to  travel 
for  our  lives,  and  we  built  up  a  smith's  forge,  and  made 
a  coal-pit,  and  burnt  coals,  and  there  we  made  nails, 
bolts  and  spikes,  others  made  ropes  of  a  piece  of  our 
cable,  and  the  rest  gathered  mussels  and  took  smelts 
for  the  whole  company. 

Three  leagues  from  this  harbour  there  is  an  isle 
with  four  small  isles  about  it,  where  there  are  great 
abundance  of  seals,  and  at  the  time  of  the  year  the 
penguins  come  thither  in  great  plenty  to  breed.  We 
concluded  with  the  Pinnace,  that  she  should  sometimes 
go  thither  to  fetch  seals  for  us ;  upon  which  condition 
we  would  share  our  victuals  with  her  man  for  man; 
whereunto  the  whole  company  agreed.  So  we  parted 
our  poor  store,  and  she  laboured  to  fetch  us  seals  to 
eat,  wherewith  we  lived  when  smelts  and  mussels 
failed ;  for  in  the  neap  streams  we  could  get  no  mussels. 

Thus  in  most  miserable  calamity  we  remained  until 
the  6th  of  August,  still  keeping  watch  upon  the  hills 
to  look  for  our  general,  and  so  great  was  our  vexation 
and  anguish  of  soul  as  I  think  never  flesh  and  blood 
endured  more. 

Thus  our  misery  daily  increasing,  time  passing,  and 
our  hope  of  the  general  being  very  cold,  our  captain 
and  master  were  fuU^^  persuaded  that  the  general 
might  perhaps  go  directly  for  the  Straits,  and  not 
come  to  this  harbour;  whereupon  they  thought  no 
course  more  convenient  than  to  go  presently  for  the 
Straits,  and  there  to  stay  his  coming,  for  in  that  place 
he  could  not  pass,  but  of  force  we  must  see  him;  where- 
unto the  company  most  willingly  consented,  as  also 
the  captain  and  master  of  the  Pinnace;  so  that  upon 
this  determination  we  made  all  possible  speed  to  depart. 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  193 

The  6th  of  August  we  set  sail,  and  went  to  Penguin 
Isle,  and  the  next  day  we  salted  twenty  hogsheads  of 
seals,  which  was  as  much  as  our  salt  could  possibly 
do,  and  so  we  departed  for  the  Straits,  the  poorest 
wretches  that  ever  were  created. 

The  7th  of  August  toward  night  we  departed  from 
Penguin  Isle,  shaping  our  course  for  the  Straits,  where 
we  had  full  confidence  to  meet  with  our  general.  The 
9th  we  had  a  sore  storm,  so  that  we  were  constrained 
to  huU,  for  our  sails  were  not  to  endure  any  force. 

The  14th  we  were  driven  in  among  certain  isles 
never  before  discovered  by  any  known  relation,  lying 
fifty  leagues  or  better  from  the  shore  east  and  northerh- 
from  the  Straits;  in  which  place,  unless  it  had  pleased 
God  of  his  wonderful  mercy  to  have  ceased  the  wind, 
we  must  of  necessity  have  perished.  But  the  wind 
shifting  to  the  east^  we  directed  our  course  for  the 
Straits,  and  the  i8th  of  August  we  fell  with  the  Cape 
in  a  very  thick  fog;  and  the  same  night  we  anchored 
ten  leagues  within  the  Cape. 

The  19th  day  we  passed  the  first  and  the  second 
straits.  The  21st  we  doubled  Cape  Froward.  The  22nd 
we  anchored  in  Savage  Cove,  so  named  because  we 
found  many  savages  there:  notwithstanding  the 
extreme  cold  of  this  place,  yet  do  all  these  wild  people 
go  naked,  and  live  in  the  woods  like  satyrs,  painted 
and  disguised,  and  fly  from  you  like  wild  deer.  The}- 
are  very  strong,  and  threw  stones  at  us  of  three  or  four 
pound  weight  an  incredible  distance. 

The  24th  in  the  morning  we  departed  from  this 
cove,  and  the  same  day  we  came  into  the  north-west 
reach,  which  is  the  last  reach  of  the  Straits.  The  25th 
we  anchored  in  a  good  cove,  within  fourteen  leagues  of 
the  South  Sea;    in  this  place  we  purposed  to  stay  for 

G 


194  STORIES   FROM  HAKLUYT 

the  general,  for  the  strait  in  this  place  is  scarce  three  miles 
broad,  so  that  he  could  not  pass  but  we  must  see  him. 

After  we  had  stayed  here  a  fortnight  in  the  deep  of 
winter,  our  victuals  consuming  (for  our  seals  stunk 
most  vilely,  and  our  men  died  pitifully  through  cold 
and  famine,  for  the  greatest  part  of  them  had  not 
clothes  to  defend  the  extremity  of  the  winter's  cold), 
being  in  this  heavy  distress,  our  captain  and  master 
thought  it  the  best  course  to  depart  from  the  Straits 
into  the  South  Sea,  and  to  go  for  the  isle  of  Santa 
Maria,  which  is  to  the  northward  of  Baldivia.  in 
37  degrees  and  a  quarter,  where  we  might  have  relief 
and  be  in  a  temperate  clime,  and  there  stay  for  the 
general,  for  of  necessity  he  must  come  by  that  isle. 

So  we  departed  the  13th  of  September,  and  came 
in  sight  of  the  South  Sea.  The  14th  we  were  forced 
back  again,  and  recovered  a  cove  three  leagues  within 
the  Straits  from  the  South  Sea.  Again  we  put  forth, 
and  being  eight  or  ten  leagues  free  of  the  land,  the 
wind  rising  furiously  at  west-north-west,  we  were 
enforced  again  into  the  Straits  only  for  want  of  sails ; 
for  we  never  durst  bear  sail  in  any  stress  of  weather, 
they  were  so  weak:  so  again  we  recovered  the  cove 
three  leagues  within  the  Straits,  where  we  endured 
most  furious  weather,  so  that  one  of  our  two  cables 
broke,  whereby  we  were  hopeless  of  life. 

Yet  it  pleased  God  to  calm  the  storm,  and  we  un- 
rived  our  sheets,  tacks,  hauHers  and  other  ropes  and 
moored  our  ship  to  the  trees  close  by  the  rocks.  We 
laboured  to  recover  our  anchor  again,  but  could  not  by 
any  means,  it  lay  so  deep  in  the  water,  and  as  we  think 
clean  covered  with  ooze.  Now  had  we  but  one  anchor 
which  had  but  one  whole  fluke,  a  cable  spliced  in  two 
places,  and  a  piece  of  an  old  cable. 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  195 

In  the  midst  of  these  our  troubles  it  pleased  God 
that  the  wind  came  fair  the  ist  of  October,  whereupon 
with  all  expedition  we  loosed  our  moorings  and  weighed 
our  anchor  and  so  towed  olf  into  the  channel:  for  we 
had  mended  our  boat  in  Port  Desire  and  had  five  oars 
of  the  Pinnace. 

When  we  had  weighed  our  anchor,  we  found  our 
cable  broken,  only  one  strand  held:  then  we  praised 
God;  for  we  saw  apparently  His  mercies  in  preserving 
us. 

Being  in  the  channel,  we  reeved  our  ropes  and  again 
rigged  our  ship;  no  man's  hand  was  idle,  but  all 
laboured  even  for  the  last  gasp  of  life.  Here  our 
company  was  divided;  some  desired  to  go  again  for 
Port  Desire,  and  there  to  be  set  on  shore,  where  they 
might  travel  for  their  lives,  and  some  stood  with  the 
captain  and  master  to  proceed. 

Whereupon  the  captain  said  to  the  master:  "  Master, 
you  see  the  wonderful  extremity  of  our  estate,  and  the 
great  doubts  among  our  company  of  the  truth  of  your 
reports,  as  touching  relief  to  be  had  in  the  South  Sea: 
some  say  in  secret,  as  I  am  informed,  that  we  under- 
take these  desperate  attempts  through  blind  affection 
that  we  bear  to  the  general.  For  mine  own  part  I 
plainly  make  known  unto  you,  that  the  love  which 
I  bear  to  the  general  caused  me  first  to  enter  into 
this  action,  whereby  I  have  not  only  heaped  upon  my 
head  this  bitter  calamity  now  present,  but  also  have 
in  some  sort  procured  the  dislike  of  my  best  friends 
in  England,  as  it  is  not  unknown  to  some  in  this 
company.  But  now  being  thus  entangled  by  the 
providence  of  God  for  my  former  offences  (no  doubt) 
I  desire  that  it  may  please  His  Divine  Majesty  to  show 
us  such  merciful  favour,  that  we  ma}^  rather  proceed. 


196  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

than  otherwise;  or,  if  it  be  His  will  that  our  mortal 
being  shall  now  take  an  end,  I  rather  desire  that  it 
may  be  in  proceeding  than  in  returning.  And  because 
I  see  in  reason,  that  the  limits  of  our  time  are  now 
drawing  to  an  end,  I  do  in  Christian  charity  entreat 
you  all,  first  to  forgive  me  in  whatsoever  I  have  been 
grievous  unto  you ;  secondly,  that  you  will  rather  pray 
for  our  general  than  use  hard  speeches  of  him  ;  and  let 
us  be  fully  persuaded,  that  not  for  his  cause  and 
negligence,  but  for  our  own  offences  against  the 
Divine  Majesty  we  are  presently  punished;  lastly,  let 
us  forgive  one  another  and  be  reconciled  as  children 
in  love  and  charity,  and  not  think  upon  the  vanities. 
of  this  life;  so  shall  we  in  leaving  this  life  live  with 
our  glorious  Redeemer,  or  abiding  in  this  life,  find 
favour  with  God. 

"  And  now,  good  master,  forasmuch  as  you  have 
been  in  this  voyage  once  before  with  your  master,  the 
general,  satisfy  the  company  of  such  truths,  as  are  to 
you  best  known,  and  3'OU  the  rest  of  the  general's 
men,  which  like\nse  have  been  with  him  in  his  first 
voyage,  if  you  hear  anything  contrary  to  the  truth, 
spare  not  to  reprove  it,  I  pray  you.  And  so  I  beseech 
the  Lord  to  bestow  His  mercy  upon  us." 

Then  the  master  began  in  these  speeches:  ''  Captain, 
your  request  is  very  reasonable,  and  I  refer  to  your 
judgment  my  honest  care  and  great  pains  taken  in 
the  general's  service,  my  love  towards  him,  and  in 
what  sort  I  have  discharged  my  duty,  from  the  first 
day  to  this  hour.  I  was  commanded  by  the  general 
to  follow  your  directions,  which  hitherto  I  have  per- 
formed. You  all  know,  that  when  I  was  extremely 
sick,  the  general  was  lost  in  my  mate's  watch,  as  you 
have    well    examined:     since    \^•hich    time,    in    what 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  197 

anguish  and  grief  of  mind  I  have  lived,  God  only 
knoweth,  and  you  are  in  some  part  a  witness.  And 
now  if  you  think  good  to  return,  I  will  not  gainsay 
it;  but  this  I  assure  you,  if  life  may  be  preserved  by 
any  means,  it  is  in  proceeding.  For  at  the  isle  of 
Santa  Maria  I  do  assure  you  of  wheat,  pork,  and  roots 
enough.  Also  I  will  bring  you  to  an  isle  where  pelicans 
be  in  great  abundance,  and  at  Santos  we  shall  have 
meal  in  great  plenty,  besides  all  our  possibility  of 
intercepting  some  ships  upon  the  coast  of  Chili  and 
Peru.  But  if  we  return  there  is  nothing  but  death  to 
be  hoped  for:  therefore,  do  as  you  like,  I  am  ready, 
but  my  desire  is  to  proceed." 

These  his  speeches  being  confirmed  by  others  that 
were  in  a  former  voyage,  there  was  a  general  consent 
of  proceeding,  and  so  the  2nd  of  October  we  put  into 
the  South  Sea,  and  were  free  of  all  land.  This  night 
the  wind  began  to  blow  very  much  at  west-north- 
west, and  still  increased  in  fury,  so  that  we  were  in 
great  doubt  what  course  to  take:  to  put  into  the 
Straits,  we  durst  not  for  lack  of  ground-tackle:  to 
bear  sail  we  doubted,  the  tempest  was  so  furious,  and 
our  sails  so  bad. 

The  Pinnace  came  up  with  us  and  told  us  that  she 
had  received  many  grievous  seas  and  that  her  ropes 
did  every  hour  fail  her,  so  as  they  could  not  tell  what 
shift  to  make:  we  being  unable  in  any  sort  to  help 
them,  stood  under  our  courses  in  view  of  the  lee-shore, 
still  expecting  our  ruinous  end. 

The  4th  of  October  the  storm  growing  beyond  all 
reason  furious,  the  Pinnace  being  in  the  wind  of  us, 
struck  suddenly  a-hull,  so  that  we  thought  she  had 
received  some  grievous  sea,  or  sprimg  a  leak,  or  that 
her  sails  failed  her,  because  she  came  not  with  us: 


198  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

but  we  durst  not  hull  in  that  unmerciful  storm,  but 
sometimes  tried  under  our  main-course,  sometimes 
with  a  haddock  of  our  sail,  for  our  ship  was  very 
leeward,  and  most  laboursome  in  the  sea.  This  night 
we  lost  the  Pinnace,  and  never  saw  her  again. 

The  5th  our  foresail  was  spHt,  and  all-to  torn: 
then  our  master  took  the  mizzen  and  brought  it  to 
the  foremast,  to  make  our  ship  work,  and  with  our 
sprit-sail  we  mended  our  foresail,  the  storm  continuing 
without  all  reason  in  fury,  with  hail,  snow,  rain  and 
wind  such  and  so  mighty,  as  that  in  nature  it  could 
not  possibly  be  more,  the  seas  such  and  so  lofty,  with 
continual  breach,  that  many  times  we  were  doubtful 
whether  our  ship  did  sink  or  swim. 

The  loth  of  October,  being  by  the  account  of  our 
captain  and  master  very  near  the  shore,  the  weather 
dark,  the  storm  furious,  and  most  of  our  men  having 
given  over  to  travail,  we  yielded  ourselves  to  death, 
without  further  hope  of  succour.  Our  captain  sitting 
in  the  gallery  very  pensive,  I  came  and  brought  him 
some  rosa  solis  to  comfort  him;  for  he  was  so  cold 
that  he  w^as  scarce  able  to  move  a  joint.  After  he  had 
drunk,  and  was  comforted  in  heart,  he  began  for  the 
ease  of  his  conscience  to  make  a  large  repetition  of  his 
forepast  time,  and  \vith  many  grievous  sighs  he  con- 
cluded in  these  words: 

*'  Oh,  most  glorious  God,  \vith  whose  power  the 
mightiest  things  among  men  are  matters  of  no  moment, 
I  most  humbly  beseech  Thee,  that  the  intolerable 
burthen  of  my  sins  may  through  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  be  taken  from  me :  and  end  our  days  with  speed, 
or  show  us  some  merciful  sign  of  Thy  love  and  our 
preservation." 

Having  thus  ended,  he  desired  me  not  to  make  known 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  199 

to  any  of  the  company  his  intolerable  grief  and  anguish 
of  mind,  because  they  should  not  thereby  be  dismayed. 
And  so  suddenly,  before  I  went  from  him  the  sun 
shined  clear:  so  that  he  and  the  master  both  observed 
the  true  elevation  of  the  Pole,  whereby  they  knew  by 
what  course  to  recover  the  Straits.  Wherewithal  our 
captain  and  master  were  so  revived  and  gave  such 
comfortable  speeches  to  the  company,  that  every 
man  rejoiced,  as  though  we  had  received  a  present 
deliverance. 

The  next  day  being  the  nth  of  October,  we  saw 
Cabo  Deseado,  being  the  cape  on  the  south  shore  (the 
north  shore  is  nothing  but  a  company  of  dangerous 
rocks,  isles  and  shoals).  This  cape  being  within  two 
leagues  to  leeward  of  us,  our  master  greatlv  doubted 
that  we  could  not  double  the  same :  whereupon  the  cap- 
tain told  him:  "You  see,  there  is  no  remedy,  either  we 
must  double  it,  or  before  noon  we  must  die:  therefore, 
loose  your  sails  and  let  us  put  it  to  God's  mercy." 

The  master  being  a  man  of  good  spirit  resolutely 
m.ade  quick  dispatch  and  set  sails.  Our  sails  had  not 
been  half-an-hour  aboard,  but  the  foot-rope  of  our 
foresail  broke,  so  that  nothing  held  but  the  eyelet- 
holes.  The  seas  continually  brake  over  the  ship's 
poop,  and  flew  into  the  sails  with  such  violence,  that 
we  still  expected  the  tearing  of  our  sails,  or  over- 
setting of  the  ship,  and  withal  to  our  utter  discomfort 
we  perceived  that  we  fell  still  more  and  more  to  lee- 
ward, so  that  we  could  not  double  the  cape,  and  so 
near  the  shore,  that  the  counter-sough  of  the  sea  would 
rebound  against  the  ship's  side,  so  that  we  were  much 
dismayed  with  the  horror  of  our  present  end. 

Being  thus  at  the  very  pinch  of  death,  the  wind  and 
seas  raging  beyond  measure,  our  master  veered  some 


200  STORIES    FROM   HAKLUYT 

of  the  main-sheet ;  and  whether  it  was  by  that  occasion, 
or  by  some  current,  or  by  the  wonderful  power  of  God, 
as  we  verily  think  it  was,  the  ship  quickened  her  way, 
and  shot  past  that  rock,  where  we  thought  she  would 
have  shored.  Then  between  the  cape  and  the  point 
there  was  a  little  bay;  so  that  we  were  somewhat 
farther  from  the  shore;  and  when  we  were  come  so 
far  as  the  cape,  we  yielded  to  death;  yet  our  good 
God,  the  Father  of  all  mercies,  delivered  us,  and  we 
doubled  the  cape  about  the  length  of  our  ship,  or  very 
little  more. 

Being  shot  past  the  cape,  we  presently  took  in  our 
sails,  which  only  God  had  preserved  unto  us;  and 
when  we  were  shot  in  between  the  high  lands,  the  wind 
blowing  trade,  without  any  inch  of  sail  we  spooned 
before  the  sea,  three  men  being  not  able  to  guide  the 
helm,  and  in  six  hours  we  were  put  five  and  twenty 
leagues  within  the  Straits,  where  we  found  a  sea 
answerable  to  the  ocean. 

In  this  time  we  freed  our  ship  from  water,  and  after 
we  had  rested  a  little,  our  men  were  not  able  to  move; 
their  sinews  were  stiff,  and  their  flesh  dead,  and  many 
of  them  (which  is  most  lamentable  to  be  reported) 
were  so  eaten  with  lice,  as  that  in  their  flesh  did  lie 
clusters  of  lice  as  big  as  peas,  yea,  and  some  as  big 
as  beans.  Being  in  this  misery  we  were  constrained 
to  put  into  a  cove  for  the  refreshing  our  men. 

Our  master  knowing  the  shore  and  every  cove 
very  perfectly,  put  in  with  the  shore,  and  moored  to 
the  trees,  as  before-time  we  had  done,  laying  our 
anchor  to  the  seaward.  Here  we  continued  until 
the  20th  of  October;  but  not  being  able  any  longer 
to  stav  through  extremity  of  famine,  the  21st  we  put 
off   into   the  channel,  the  weather  being   reasonably 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  201 

calm:  but  before  night  it  blew  most  extremely  at 
west-north-west. 

The  storm  growing  outrageous,  our  men  could 
scarcely  stand  by  their  labour;  and  the  Straits  being 
full  of  turning  reaches,  we  were  constrained  by  dis- 
cretion of  the  captain  and  master  in  their  accounts 
to  guide  the  ship  in  the  hell-dark  night,  when  we  could 
not  see  any  shore,  the  channel  being  in  some  places 
scarce  three  miles  broad.  But  our  captain,  as  we  first 
passed  through  the  Straits,  drew  such  an  exquisite 
plate  of  the  same,  as  I  am  assured  it  cannot  in  any 
sort  be  bettered;  which  plate  he  and  the  master  so 
often  perused,  and  so  carefully  regarded,  as  that  in 
memory  they  had  every  turning  and  creek,  and  in  the 
deep  dark  night  without  any  doubting  they  conveyed 
the  ship  through  that  crooked  channel:  so  that  I 
conclude,  the  world  hath  not  any  so  skilful  pilots  for 
that  place,  as  they  are:  for  otherwise  we  could  never 
have  passed  such  sort  as  we  did. 

The  25th  we  came  to  an  island  in  the  Straits  named 
Penguin  Isle,  whither  we  sent  our  boat  to  seek  relief, 
for  there  were  great  abundance  of  birds,  and  the 
weather  was  ver\'  calm;  so  we  came  to  an  anchor  by 
the  island  in  seven  fathoms.  While  our  boat  was  at 
shore,  and  we  had  great  store  of  penguins,  there  arose 
a  sudden  storm,  so  that  our  ship  did  drive  over  a 
breach  and  our  boat  sank  at  the  shore.  Captain 
Cotton  and  the  lieutenant  being  on  shore  leapt  in  the 
boat,  and  freed  the  same,  and  threw  away  aU  the 
birds,  and  with  great  difficulty  recovered  the  ship: 
m3'self  also  was  in  the  boat  the  same  time,  where  for 
my  life  I  laboured  to  the  best  of  my  power. 

The  ship  all  this  while  driving  upon  the  lee-shore, 
when  we  came  aboard,   we   helped   to   set   sail,   and 


202  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

weighed  the  anchor,  for  before  our  coming  they  could 
scarce  hoist  up  their  yards,  yet  with  much 'ado  they 
set  their  fore-course.  Thus  in  a  mighty  fret  of  weather 
the  27th  day  of  October,  we  were  free  of  the  Straits, 
and  the  30th  of  October  we  came  to  Penguin  Isle, 
being  three  leagues  from  Port  Desire,  the  place  which 
we  purposed  to  seek  for  our  relief. 

When  we  were  come  to  this  isle  we  sent  our  boat 
on  shore,  which  returned  laden  with  birds  and  eggs: 
and  our  men  said  that  the  penguins  were  so  thick 
upon  the  isle  that  ships  might  be  laden  with  them; 
for  they  could  not  go  without  treading  upon  the  birds, 
whereat  we  greatly  rejoiced. 

Then  the  captain  appointed  Charles  Parker  and 
Edward  Smith,  with  twenty  others  to  go  on  shore,  and 
to  stay  upon  the  isle,  for  the  killing  and  drying  of  those 
penguins,  and  promised  after  the  ship  was  in  harbour 
to  send  the  rest,  not  only  for  expedition,  but  also  to 
save  the  small  store  of  victuals  in  the  ship. 

But  Parker,  Smith,  and  the  rest  of  their  faction 
suspected  that  this  was  a  device  of  the  captain  to  leave 
his  men  on  shore,  that  by  these  means  there  might 
be  victuals  for  the  rest  to  recover  their  countn,^;  and 
when  they  remembered,  that  this  was  the  place  where 
they  would  have  slain  their  captain  and  master,  surely 
(thought  they)  for  revenge  hereof  will  they  leave  us 
on  shore.  Which  when  our  captain  understood,  he  used 
these  speeches  unto  them : 

"  I  understand  that  you  are  doubtful  of  your 
securit}'-  through  the  perverseness  of  your  own  guilty 
consciences;  it  is  an  extreme  grief  unto  me,  that  you 
should  judge  me  blood-thirsty,  in  whom  you  have 
seen  nothing  but  kind  conversation :  if  you  have  found 
otherwise,  speak  boldly,  and  accuse  me  of  the  wrongs 


i 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  203 

that  I  have  done;  if  not,  why  do  you  then  measure 
me  by  your  own  uncharitable  consciences?  All  the 
company  knoweth  indeed,  that  in  this  place  you 
practised  to  the  utmost  your  powers,  to  murder  me 
and  the  master  causeless,  as  God  knoweth,  which 
evil  in  this  place  we  did  remit  you;  and  now  I  may 
conceive,  without  doing  you  wrong,  that  you  again 
purpose  some  evil  in  bringing  these  matters  to  re- 
petition; but  God  has  so  shortened  your  confederacy, 
as  that  I  nothing  doubt  you;  it  is  for  your  master's 
sake  that  I  have  forborne  you  in  your  un-Christian 
practices;  and  here  I  protest  before  God,  that  for 
His  sake  alone  I  will  yet  endure  this  injury,  and  you 
shall  in  no  sort  be  prejudiced  or  in  anything  be  by 
me  commanded:  but  when  we  come  into  England 
(if  God  so  favour  us)  your  Master  shall  know  your 
honesties;  in  the  mean  space  be  void  of  these  sus- 
picions, for,  God  I  call  to  witness,  revenge  is  no  part 
of  my  thought." 

They  gave  him  thanks,  desiring  to  go  into  the  har- 
bour with  the  ship,  which  he  granted.  So  there  were  ten 
left  upon  the  isle,  and  the  last  of  October  we  entered 
the  harbour.  Our  master  at  our  last  being  here  having 
taken  careful  notice  of  every  creek  in  the  river,  in  a 
very  convenient  place,  upon  sandy  ooze,  ran  the  ship 
on  ground,  laying  our  anchor  to  seaward,  and  with 
our  running  ropes  moored  her  to  stakes  upon  the 
shore,  which  he  had  fastened  for  that  purpose;  where 
the  ship  remained  till  our  departure. 

The  3rd  of  November  our  boat  with  water,  wood, 
and  as  many  as  she  could  carry,  went  for  the  Isle  of 
Penguins:  but  being  deep,  she  durst  not  proceed,  but 
returned  again  the  same  night.  Then  Parker,  Smith, 
Townesend,  Purpet,  with  live  others,  desired  that  they 


204  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

might  go  by  land,  and  that  the  boat  might  fetch  them 
when  they  were  against  the  isle,  it  being  scarce  a  mile 
from  the  shore. 

The  captain  bade  them  do  what  they  thought  best, 
advising  them  to  take  weapons  with  them :  "  For,"  said 
he,  *'  although  we  have  not  at  any  time  seen  people  in 
this  place,  yet  in  the  country  there  may  be  savages." 
They  answered  that  here  were  great  store  of  deer  and 
ostriches ;  but  if  there  were  savages  they  would  devour 
them:  notwithstanding  the  captain  caused  them  to 
carry  weapons,  calivers,  swords,  and  targets:  so  the 
6th  of  November  they  departed  by  land,  and  the  boat 
by  sea :  but  from  that  day  to  this  day  we  never  heard 
of  our  men. 

The  nth,  whilst  most  of  our  men  were  at  the  isle, 
only  the  captain  and  master  with  six  others  being  left 
in  the  ship,  there  came  a  great  multitude  of  savages 
to  the  ship,  throwing  dust  in  the  air,  leaping  and 
running  like  brute  beasts,  having  vizards  on  their 
faces  hke  dogs'  faces,  or  else  their  faces  are  dogs' 
faces  indeed.  We  greatly  feared  lest  they  would  set 
our  ship  on  fire,  for  they  would  suddenly  make  fire, 
whereat  we  much  marvelled:  they  came  to  windward 
of  our  ship,  and  set  the  bushes  on  fire,  so  that  we  were 
in  a  very  stinking  smoke:  but  as  soon  as  they  came 
within  our  shot,  we  shot  at  them,  and  striking  one  of 
them  in  the  thigh  they  all  presently  fled,  so  that  we 
never  heard  nor  saw  more  of  them.  Hereby  we  judged 
that  these  cannibals  had  slain  our  nine  men. 

When  we  considered  what  they  were  that  thus  were 
slain,  and  found  that  they  were  the  principal  men 
that  would  have  murdered  our  captain  and  master, 
with  the  rest  of  their  friends,  we  saw  the  just  judgment 

Vizards.  Masks. 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  205 

of  God  and  made  supplication  to  His  Divine  Majesty 
to  be  merciful  unto  us. 

While  we  were  in  this  harbour,  our  captain  and 
master  went  with  the  boat  to  discover  how  far  this 
river  did  run,  that  if  need  should  enforce  us  to  leave 
our  ship,  we  might  know  how  far  we  might  go  by  water. 
So  they  found  that  farther  than  twenty  miles  they 
could  not  go  with  the  boat.  At  their  return  they  sent 
the  boat  to  the  Isle  of  Penguins;  whereby  we  under- 
stood that  the  penguins  dried  to  our  hearts'  content, 
and  that  the  multitude  of  them  was  infinite.  This 
penguin  hath  the  shape  of  a  bird,  but  hath  no  wings, 
only  two  stumps  in  the  place  of  wings,  by  which  he 
swimmeth  under  water  with  as  great  swiftness  as  any 
hsh.  They  live  upon  smelts,  whereof  there  is  great 
abundance  upon  this  coast:  In  eating  they  be  neither 
fish  nor  flesh:  they  lay  great  eggs,  and  the  bird  is  of 
a  reasonable  bigness,  very  near  twice  as  big  as  a  duck. 

All  the  time  that  we  were  in  this  place,  we  fared 
passing  well  with  eggs,  penguins,  young  seals,  young 
gulls,  besides  other  birds,  such  as  I  know  not:  all  of 
which  we  had  great  abundance.  In  this  place  we  found 
an  herb  called  scurvy-grass  which  we  fried  with  eggs, 
using  train-oil  instead  of  butter.  This  herb  did  so 
purge  the  blood  that  it  took  away  all  kind  of  swxlHngs, 
of  which  many  died,  and  restored  us  to  perfect  health 
of  body,  so  that  we  were  in  as  good  case  as  when  we 
came  first  out  of  England. 

We  stayed  in  this  harbour  until  the  22nd  of  Decem- 
ber, in  which  time  we  had  dried  20,000  penguins,  and 
the  captain,  the  master,  and  myself  made  some  salt, 
by  laying  salt  water  upon  the  rocks  in  holes,  which 
in  six  days  would  be  kerned.  Thus  God  did  feed  us  even 
as  it  were  with  manna  from  heaven. 


2o6  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

The  22nd  of  December,  we  departed  with  our  ship 
for  the  isle,  where  with  great  difhculty,  by  the  skilful 
industry  of  our  master  we  got  14,000  of  our  birds,  and 
had  almost  lost  our  captain  in  labouring  to  bring  the 
birds  aboard :  and  had  not  our  master  been  very  expert 
in  the  set  of  those  wicked  tides,  which  run  after  many 
fashions,  we  had  also  lost  our  ship  in  the  same  place: 
but  God  of  His  goodness  hath  in  all  our  extremities 
been  our  protector. 

So  the  22nd,  at  night,  we  departed  with  14,000  dried 
penguins,  not  being  able  to  fetch  the  rest,  and  shaped 
our  course  for  Brazil.  Now  our  captain  rated  our 
victuals,  and  brought  us  to  such  allowance,  as  that  our 
victuals  might  last  six  months;  for  our  hope  was, 
that  within  six  months  we  might  recover  our  country, 
though  our  sails  were  very  bad.  So  the  allowance  was 
two  ounces  and  a  half  of  meal  for  a  man  a  da}^  and 
to  have  so  twice  a  week,  so  that  five  ounces  did  serve 
for  a  week.  Three  days  a  week  we  had  oil,  three 
spoonfuls  for  a  man  a  day;  and  two  days  in  a  week 
peas,  a  pint  between  four  men  a  day,  and  every  day 
five  penguins  for  four  men,  and  six  quarts  of  water 
for  four  men  a  day.  This  was  our  allowance;  where- 
with (we  praise  God)  we  lived,  though  weakly  and 
very  feeble. 

The  30th  of  January  we  arrived  at  the  isle  of 
Placencia  in  Brazil,  the  first  place  that  outward-bound 
we  were  at:  and  having  made  the  shoal,  our  ship 
lying  off  at  sea,  the  captain  with  twenty-four  of  the 
company  went  with  the  boat  on  shore,  being  a  whole 
night  before  they  could  recover  it. 

The  last  of  January  at  sun-rising  they  suddenly 
landed,  hoping  to  take  the  Portugals  in  their  houses, 
and  by  that  means  to  recover  some  cassava-meal,  or 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  207 

other  victuals  for  our  relief:  but  when  they  came  to 
the  houses,  they  were  all  razed,  and  burnt  to  the 
ground,  so  that  we  thought  no  man  had  remained  on 
the  island.  Then  the  captain  went  to  the  gardens  and 
brought  from  thence  fruits  and  roots  for  the  company, 
and  came  aboard  the  ship,  and  brought  her  into  a 
hne  creek  which  he  had  found  out,  where  we  might 
moor  by  the  trees,  and  where  there  was  water,  and 
hoops  to  trim  our  cask. 

Our  case  being  very  desperate,  we  presently  laboured 
for  dispatch  away;  some  cut  hoops,  which  the  coopers 
made,  others  laboured  upon  the  sails  and  ship,  ever\' 
man  travaihng  for  his  life,  and  still  a  guard  was  kept 
on  shore  to  defend  those  that  laboured,  every  man 
having  his  weapon  like\\'ise  by  him. 

The  3rd  of  February  our  men  with  twenty-three 
shot  went  again  to  the  gardens,  being  three  miles 
from  us  upon  the  north  shore,  and  fetched  cassava- 
roots  out  of  the  ground,  to  reUeve  our  company 
instead  of  bread;  for  we  spent  not  of  our  meal  while 
we  stayed  here. 

The  5th  of  February  being  Monday,  our  captain  and 
master  hasted  the  company  to  their  labour:  so  some 
went  with  the  coopers  to  gather  hoops,  and  the  rest 
laboured  aboard.  This  night  many  of  our  men  in 
the  ship  dreamed  of  murder  and  slaughter.  In  the 
morning  they  reported  their  dreams,  one  saying  to 
another:  "'  This  night  I  dreamt  that  thou  wert  slain." 
Another  answered:  'And  I  dreamed  that  thou 
wert  slain,"  and  this  was  general  through  the  ship. 
The  captain  hearing  this,  who  likewise  had  dreamed 
very  strangely  himself,  gave  very  strait  charge  that 
those  which  went  on  shore  should  take  weapons 
with   them,    and   saw    them    himself    delivered   into 


2o8  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

the  boat,  and  sent  some  of  purpose  to  guard  the 
labourers. 

All  the  forenoon  they  laboured  in  quietness,  and 
when  it  was  ten  of  the  clock,  the  heat  being  extreme, 
they  came  to  a  rock  near  the  wood's  side  (for  all  this 
country  is  nothing  but  thick  woods)  and  there  they 
boiled  cassava-roots  and  dined:  after  dinner  some 
slept,  some  washed  themselves  in  the  sea,  all  being 
stripped  to  their  shirts,  and  no  man  keeping  watch, 
no  match  lighted,  not  a  piece  charged. 

Suddenly  as  they  were  thus  sleeping  and  sporting, 
having  gotten  themselves  into  a  corner  out  of  sight  of 
the  ship,  there  came  a  multitude  of  Indians  and 
Portugals  upon  them,  and  slew  them  sleeping:  only 
two  escaped,  one  very  sore  hurt,  the  other  not  touched, 
by  whom  we  understood  of  this  miserable  massacre: 
with  all  speed  we  manned  our  boat,  and  landed  to 
succour  our  men;  but  we  found  them  slain,  and  laid 
naked  on  a  rank  one  by  another,  with  their  faces 
upward,  and  a  cross  set  by  them:  and  withal  we  saw 
two  very  great  pinnaces  come  from  the  River  of 
Janeiro  very  full  of  men;  whom  we  mistrusted  came 
from  thence  to  take  us:  because  there  came  from 
Janeiro  soldiers  to  Santos,  when  the  general  had  taken 
the  town  and  was  strong  in  it.  Of  seventy-six  persons 
which  departed  in  our  ship  out  of  England,  we  were 
now  left  but  twenty-seven,  having  lost  thirteen  in 
this  place,  with  their  chief  furniture,  as  muskets, 
calivers,  powder  and  shot.  Our  cask  was  all  in  decay, 
so  that  we  could  not  take  in  more  water  than  was  in 
our  ship,  for  want  of  cask,  and  that  which  we  had  was 
marvellous  ill-conditioned:  and  being  there  moored 
by  trees  for  want  of  cables  and  anchors,  we  still  ex- 
pected the  cutting  of  our  moorings,  to  be  beaten  from 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  209 

our  decks  with  our  own  furniture  and  to  be  assailed  by 
them  of  Janeiro:  what  distress  we  were  now  driven 
into  I  am  not  able  to  express. 

To  depart  with  eight  tons  of  water  in  such  bad  cask 
was  to  starve  at  sea,  and  in  staying  our  case  was 
ruinous.  These  were  hard  choices;  but  being  thus 
perplexed,  we  made  choice  rather  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  Lord  than  into  the  hands  of  men;  for  His 
exceeding  mercies  we  had  tasted,  and  of  the  others' 
cruelty  we  were  not  ignorant. 

So  concluding  to  depart,  the  6th  of  Februarv  we 
were  off  in  the  channel,  with  our  ordinance  and  small 
shot  in  a  readiness  for  any  assault  that  should  come, 
and  having  a  small  gale  of  wind,  we  recovered  the  sea 
in  most  deep  distress.  Then  bemoaning  our  estate  one 
to  another,  and  recounting  over  all  our  extremities, 
nothing  grieved  us  more,  than  the  loss  of  our  men  twice, 
first  by  the  slaughter  of  the  cannibals  at  Port  Desire, 
and  at  this  isle  of  Placencia  by  the  Indians  and 
Portugals.  And  considering  what  they  were  that  were 
lost,  we  found  that  all  those  that  conspired  the  murder- 
ing of  our  captain  and  master  were  now  slain  bv 
savages,  the  gunner  only  excepted. 

Being  thus  at  sea,  when  we  came  to  Cape  Frio,  the 
wind  was  contrary' ;  so  that  three  weeks  we  were 
grievousl}-  vexed  with  cross  winds,  and  our  water 
consuming,  our  hope  of  life  was  ver\'  small.  Some 
desired  to  go  to  Baya,  and  to  submit  themselves  to 
the  Portugals,  rather  than  to  die  for  thirst;  but  the 
captain  with  fair  persuasions  altered  their  purpose 
of  yielding  to  the  Portugals. 

In  this  distress  it  pleased  God  to  send  us  rain  in 
such  plenty,  as  that  we  were  well-watered,  and  in 
good   comfort   to   return.      But    after  we   came   near 


210  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

unto  the  sun,  our  dried  penguins  began  to  corrupt, 
and  there  bred  in  them  a  most  loathsome  and  ugly 
worm  of  an  inch  long.  This  worm  did  so  mightily 
increase,  and  devour  our  victuals,  that  there  was  in 
reason  no  hope  how  we  should  avoid  famine,  but  be 
devoured  of  these  wicked  creatures :  there  was  nothing 
that  they  did  not  devour,  only  iron  excepted:  our 
clothes,  boots,  shoes,  hats,  shirts,  stockings:  and  for 
the  ship,  the}'  did  so  eat  the  timbers,  as  that  we 
greatly  feared  they  would  undo  us  by  gnawing  through 
the  ship's  side.  Great  was  the  care  and  diligence  of 
our  captain,  master  and  company  to  consume  these 
vermin,  but  the  more  we  laboured  to  kill  them,  the 
more  they  increased;  so  that  at  the  last  we  could  not 
sleep  for  them,  but  they  would  eat  our  flesh,  and  bite 
like  mosquitoes. 

In  this  woeful  case,  after  we  had  passed  the  Equi- 
noctial toward  the  north,  our  men  began  to  fall  sick 
of  such  a  monstrous  disease,  as  I  think  the  like  was 
never  heard  of:  for  in  their  ankles  it  began  to  swell; 
from  thence  in  two  days  it  would  be  in  their  breasts, 
so  that  they  could  not  draw  their  breath.  Whereupon 
our  men  grew  mad  with  grief. 

Our  captain  with  extreme  anguish  of  his  soul,  v/as  in 
such  woeful  case,  that  he  desired  only  a  speedy  end, 
and  though  he  were  scarce  able  to  speak  for  sorrow,  3^et 
he  persuaded  them  to  patience,  and  to  give  God  thanks 
and  like  dutiful  children  to  accept  of  His  chastisement. 
For  all  this,  divers  grew  raging  mad  and  some  died  in 
most  loathsome  and  furious  pain.  It  were  incredible 
to  write  our  misery  as  it  was;  there  was  no  man  in 
perfect  health,  but  the  captain  and  one  boy.  The 
master  being  a  man  of  good  spirit,  with  extreme  labour 
bore  out  his  grief,  so  that  it  grew  not  upon  him.    To 


THOMAS   CAVENDISH  211 

be  short,  all  our  men  died  except  sixteen,  of  which 
there  were  but  five  able  to  move. 

The  captain  was  in  good  health,  the  master  in- 
different, Captain  Cotton  and  myself  swollen  and 
short-winded,  yet  better  than  the  rest  that  were  sick, 
and  one  boy  in  health;  upon  us  five  only  the  labour 
of  the  ship  did  stand.  The  captain  and  master,  as 
occasion  served,  would  take  in,  and  heave  out  the 
topsails,  the  master  only  attended  on  the  sprit-sail, 
and  all  of  us  at  the  capstan  without  sheets  and  tacks. 
In  fine  our  misery-  and  weakness  was  so  great,  that  we 
could  not  take  in,  nor  heave  out  a  sail:  so  our  topsail 
and  sprit-sails  were  torn  all  in  pieces  by  the  weather. 
The  master  and  captain  taking  their  turns  at  the  helm, 
were  mightily  distressed  and  monstrously  grieved 
with  the  most  woeful  lamentation  of  our  sick  men. 

Thus  as  lost  wanderers  upon  the  sea,  the  nth  of 
June,  1593,  it  pleased  God  that  we  arrived  at  Bere- 
haven  in  Ireland,  and  there  ran  the  ship  on  shore: 
where  the  Irishmen  helped  us  to  take  in  our  sails,  and 
to  moor  our  ship  for  floating,  which  slender  pains  of 
theirs  cost  the  captain  some  ten  pounds  before  he 
could  have  the  ship  in  safety. 

Thus  without  victuals,  sails,  men,  or  any  furniture 
God  only  guided  us  into  Ireland,  where  the  captain 
left  the  master  and  three  or  four  of  the  company  to 
keep  the  ship;  and  within  five  days  after  he  and 
certain  others  had  passage  in  an  English  fisher-boat 
to  Padstow  in  Cornwall.  In  this  manner  our  small 
remnant  by  God's  only  mercy  were  preser^'ed,  and 
restored  to  our  country^,  to  whom  be  aU  honour  and 
glor\',  world  without  end.     . 


THE 
FIGHT  OF  THE  -  REVENGE  " 


A  report  of  the  truth  of  the  fight  about  the  isles  of  Azores, 
the  last  of  August,  1591,  betwixt  the  "  Revenge," 
one  of  Her  Majesty's  ships,  and  an  armada  of  the 
King  of  Spain  :  Penned  by  the  honourable  Sir 
Walter  Raleigh,  knight. 

Because  the  rumours  are  diversely  spread,  as  well 
in  England  as  in  the  Low  Countries  and  elsewhere, 
of  this  late  encounter  between  Her  Majesty's  ships 
and  the  armada  of  Spain  ;  and  that  the  Spaniards, 
according  to  their  usual  manner,  fill  the  world  with 
their  vainglorious  vaunts,  making  great  appearance 
of  victories,  when  on  the  contrary,  themselves  are 
most  commonly  and  shamefully  beaten  and  dis- 
honoured; thereby  hoping  to  possess  the  ignorant 
multitude  by  anticipating  and  fore-running  false 
reports  :  it  is  agreeable  with  all  good  reason,  for 
manifestation  of  the  truth,  to  overcome  falsehood 
and  untruth,  that  the  beginning,  continuance  and 
success  of  this  late  honourable  encounter  of  Sir  Richard 
Grenville  and  other  Her  Majesty's  captains  with  the 
armada  of  Spain,  should  be  truly  set  down  and  pub- 
lished without  partiality  or  false  imaginations.  And 
it  is  no  marvel  that  the  Spaniard  should  seek  by  false 
and  slanderous  pamphlets,  advices  and  letters  to  cover 
their  own  loss,  and  to  derogate  from  others  their  due 
honours,  especially  in  this  fight  being  performed  far 
off:  seeing  they  were  not  ashamed  in  the  year  158S, 
when   they  purposed  the  invasions  of  this  land,  to 

212 


I 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  213 

publish  in  sundry  languages  in  print,  great  victories 
in  words,  which  they  pleaded  to  have  obtained  against 
this  realm,  and  spread  the  same  in  a  most  false  sort 
over  all  parts  of  France,  Italy  and  elsewhere.  When 
shortly  after  it  was  happily  manifested  in  very  deed 
to  all  nations,  how  their  navy  which  they  termed  in- 
vincible, consisting  of  140  sail  of  ships,  not  only 
of  their  own  kingdom,  but  strengthened  with  the 
greatest  argosies,  Portuguese,  Carracks,  Florentines 
and  huge  hulks  of  other  countries,  were  by  thirty 
of  Her  Majesty's  own  ships  of  war,  and  a  few  of  our 
own  merchants,  by  the  wise,  valiant  and  advantageous 
conduct  of  the  Lord  Charles  Howard,  High  x\dmiral 
of  England,  beaten  and  shuffled  together;  even  from 
the  Lizard  in  Cornwall  first  to  Portland,  where  the}' 
shamefulh-  left  Don  Pedro  de  Valdes,  with  his  mighty 
ship;  from  Portland  to  Cales,  where  they  lost  Hugo 
de  Moncado,  with  the  galleys  of  which  he  was  captain; 
and  from  Calais,  driven  with  squibs  from  their  anchors, 
were  chased  out  of  the  sight  of  England,  round  about 
vScotland  and  Ireland.  Where,  for  the  svmpath\'  of 
their  barbarous  religion,  hoping  to  find  succour  and 
assistance,  a  great  part  of  them  were  crushed  against 
the  rocks,  and  those  other  that  landed,  being  very 
many  in  number,  were  notwithstanding  broken,  slain 
and  taken,  and  so  sent  from  village  to  village  coupled 
in  halters,  to  be  shipped  into  England.  Where  Her 
Majesty,  of  her  princely  and  invincible  disposition 
disdaining  to  put  them  to  death,  and  scorning  either 
to  retain  or  entertain  them:  they  were  all  sent  back 
again  to  their  countries,  to  witness  and  recount  the 
worth}^  achievements  of  their  invincible  and  dreadful 
navy,  of  which  the  number  of  soldiers  and  fearful 
burthen   of   their   ships,    the   commanders'   names  of 


214  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

every  squadron,  mth  all  other  their  magazines  of 
provisions,  were  put  in  print,  as  an  army  or  navy 
irresistible  and  disdaining  prevention. 

With  all  which  so  great  and  terrible  an  ostentation, 
they  did  not  in  all  their  sailing  round  about  England, 
so  much  as  sink  or  take  one  ship,  bark,  pinnace  or 
cock-boat  of  ours:  or  ever  burnt  so  much  as  one 
sheep-cote  of  this  land.  Whereas  on  the  contrary, 
Sir  Francis  Drake,  with  only  eight  hundred  soldiers,  not 
long  before  landed  in  their  Indies,  and  forced  Sant-Iago, 
Santo  Domingo,  Cartagena  and  the  forts  of  Florida. 

And  after  that.  Sir  John  Norris  marched  from 
Peniche  in  Portugal,  with  a  handful  of  soldiers,  to  the 
gates  of  Lisbon,  being  above  forty  English  miles. 
Where  the  Earl  of  Essex  himself  and  other  valiant 
gentlemen  braved  the  city  of  Lisbon,  encamped  at 
the  ver}^  gates  from  whence,  after  many  days'  abode, 
finding  neither  promised  party,  nor  provision  to  batten, 
they  made  retreat  by  land  in  despite  of  all  their 
garrisons,  both  of  horse  and  foot. 

In  this  sort  I  have  a  little  digressed  from  my  first 
purpose,  only  by  the  necessary  comparison  of  their 
and  our  actions:  the  one  covetous  of  honour  without 
vaunt  of  ostentation ;  the  other  so  greedy  to  purchase 
the  opinion  of  their  own  affairs,  and  by  false  rumours 
to  resist  the  blasts  of  their  own  dishonours,  as  they 
will  not  only  not  blush  to  spread  all  manner  of  un- 
truths :  but  even  for  the  least  advantage,  be  it  but 
for  the  taking  of  one  poor  adventurer  of  the  English, 
will  celebrate  the  victory  with  bonfires  in  every  town, 
always  spending  more  in  faggots,  than  the  purchase 
was  worth  they  obtained.  Whenas  we  never  thought 
it  worth  the  consumption  of  two  billets,  when  we 
have  taken  eight  or  ten  of  their  Indian  ships  at  one 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  215 

time,  and  twenty  of  the  Brazil  fleet.  Such  is  the 
difference  between  true  valour  and  ostentation:  and 
between  honourable  actions,  and  frivolous  vain- 
glorious vaunts.    But  now  to  return  to  my  purpose. 

The  Lord  Thomas  Howard  with  six  of  Her  Majesty's 
ships,  six  victuallers  of  London,  the  bark  Raleigh,  and 
two  or  three  other  pinnaces  riding  at  anchor  near  unto 
Flores,  one  of  the  westerly  islands  of  the  Azores,  the 
last  of  August  in  the  afternoon,  had  intelligence  by 
one.  Captain  Middleton,  of  the  approach  of  the  Spanish 
armada.  WTiich  Middleton  being  in  a  very  good  sailer 
had  kept  them  company  three  days  before,  of  good 
purpose,  both  to  discover  their  forces  the  more,  as  also 
to  give  ad\dce  to  my  Lord  Thomas  of  their  approach. 

He  had  no  sooner  delivered  the  news  but  the  fleet 
was  in  sight:  many  of  our  ships'  companies  were  on 
shore  in  the  island;  some  providing  ballast  for  their 
ships ;  others  tilling  of  water  and  refreshing  themselves 
from  the  land  with  such  things  as  they  could  either 
for  money,  or  by  force  recover.  By  reason  whereof 
our  ships  being  all  pestered  and  rummaging  every- 
thing out  of  order,  very  light  for  want  of  ballast,  and 
that  which  was  most  to  our  disadvantage,  the  one- 
half  part  of  the  men  of  every  ship  sick,  and  utterly 
unserviceable:  for  in  the  Revenge  there  were  ninety 
diseased:  in  the  Bonaventure,  not  so  many  in  health 
as  could  handle  her  mainsail,  for  had  not  twentv  men 
been  taken  out  of  a  bark  of  Sir  George  Carey's,  his 
being  commanded  to  be  sunk,  and  those  appointed 
to  her,  she  had  hardly  ever  recovered  England. 

The  rest,  for  the  most  part,  were  in  little  better  state. 

The  names  of  Her  Majesty's  ships  were  these  as 
followeth:  the  Defiance,  which  was  admiral,  the  Revenge 
vice-admiral,  the  Bonaventure  commanded  by  Captain 


2i6  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

Crosse,  the  Lion  by  George  Fenner,  the  Foresight  by 
Master  Thomas  Vavasour,  and  the  Crane  by  Duffild. 
The  Foresight  and  the  Crane  being  but  small  ships; 
only  the  other  were  of  the  middle  size;  the  rest, 
besides  the  bark  Raleigh,  commanded  by  Captain 
Thin,  were  victuallers,  and  of  small  force  or  none. 

The  Spanish  fleet  having  shrouded  their  approach 
by  reason  of  the  island,  were  now  so  soon  at  hand  as 
our  ships  had  scarce  time  to  weigh  their  anchors,  but 
some  of  them  were  driven  to  let  slip  their  cables  and 
set  sail.  Sir  Richard  Grenville  was  the  last  that  weighed, 
to  recover  the  men  that  were  upon  the  island,  which 
otherwise  had  been  lost. 

The  Lord  Thomas  with  the  rest  very  hardly  recovered 
the  wind,  which  Sir  Richard  Grenville  not  being  able 
to  do,  was  persuaded  by  the  master  and  others  to  cut 
his  mainsail,  and  cast  about,  and  to  trust  to  the 
sailing  of  the  ship;  for  the  squadron  of  Seville  were 
on  his  weather  bow. 

But  Sir  Richard  utterly  refused  to  turn  from  the 
enemy,  alleging  that  he  would  rather  choose  to  die 
than  to  dishonour  himself,  his  country  and  Her 
Majesty's  ship,  persuading  his  company  that  he  would 
pass  through  the  two  squadrons,  in  despite  of  them, 
and  enforce  those  of  Seville  to  give  him  way. 

Which  he  performed  upon  divers  of  the  foremost, 
who,  as  the  mariners  term  it,  sprang  their  luff,  and 
fell  under  the  lee  of  the  Revenge.  But  the  other  course 
had  been  the  better,  and  might  right  well  have  been 
answered  in  so  great  an  impossibility  of  prevailing. 
Notwithstanding,  out  of  the  greatness  of  his  mind,  he 
could  not  be  persuaded. 

In  the  meanwhile,  as  he  attended  those  which  were 
nearest  him,  the  great  San  Philip  being  in  the  wind 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  217 

of  him,  and  coming  towards  him,  becalmed  his  sails 
in  such  sort,  as  the  ship  could  neither  make  way  nor 
feel  the  helm:  so  huge  and  high-cargoed  was  the 
Spanish  ship,  being  of  a  thousand  and  five  hundred 
tons.  Who  after  laid  the  Revenge  aboard.  When  he  was 
thus  bereft  of  his  sails,  the  ships  that  were  under  his 
lee  luffing  up,  also  laid  him  aboard:  of  which  the  next 
was  the  admiral  of  the  Biscayans,  a  very  mighty  and 
puissant  ship  commanded  by  Brittandona.  The  said 
Philip  carried  three  tier  of  ordnance  on  a  side,  and 
eleven  pieces  in  every  tier.  She  shot  eight  forthright 
out  of  her  chase,  besides  those  of  her  stern  ports. 

After  the  Revenge  was  entangled  with  this  Philip, 
four  others  boarded  her :  two  on  her  larboard  and  two 
on  her  starboard.  The  tight  thus  beginning  at  three 
of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon,  continued  very  terrible 
all  that  evening.  But  the  great  San  Philip  having 
received  the  lower  tier  of  the  Revenge,  discharged  with 
crossbar-shot,  shifted  herself  with  all  diligence  from 
her  sides,  utterly  misliking  her  first  entertainment. 
Some  say  that  the  ship  foundered,  but  we  cannot 
report  it  for  truth,  unless  we  were  assured. 

The  Spanish  ships  were  filled  with  companies  of 
soldiers,  in  some  two  hundred  besides  the  mariners ; 
in  some  five,  in  others  eight  hundred.  In  ours  there 
were  none  at  all  beside  the  mariners,  but  the  servants  of 
the  commanders  and  some  few  voluntary  gentlemen  only. 

After  many  interchanged  volleys  of  great  ordnance 
and  small  shot,  the  Spaniards  deHberated  to  enter 
the  Revenge,  and  made  divers  attempts,  hoping  to 
force  her  by  the  multitudes  of  their  armed  soldiers 
and  musketeers,  but  were  still  repulsed  again  and 
again,  and  at  all  times  beaten  back  into  their  own 
ships,  or  into  the  seas. 


2i8  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

In  the  beginning  of  the  fight,  the  George  Noble,  of 
London,  having  received  some  shot  through  her  by 
the  armadas,  fell  under  the  lee  of  the  Revenge,  and 
asked  Sir  Richard  what  he  would  command  him,  being 
but  one  of  the  victuallers  and  of  small  force :  Sir  Richard 
bid  him  save  himself  and  leave  him  to  his  fortune. 

After  the  fight  had  thus,  without  intermission,  con- 
tinued while  the  day  lasted  and  some  hours  of  the  night, 
many  of  our  men  were  slain  and  hurt,  and  one  of  the 
great  galleons  of  the  armada,  and  the  admiral  of  the 
hulks  both  sunk,  and  in  many  other  of  the  Spanish 
ships  great  slaughter  was  made. 

Some  write  that  Sir  Richard  was  very  dangerously 
hurt  almost  in  the  beginning  of  the  fight,  and  lay 
speechless  for  a  time  ere  he  recovered.  But  two  of 
the  Revenge's  own  company  brought  home  in  a  ship  of 
Lime  from  the  islands,  examined  by  some  of  the  lords 
and  others,  affirmed  that  he  was  never  so  wounded 
as  that  he  forsook  the  upper  deck  till  an  hour  before 
midnight,  and  then  being  shot  into  the  body  with  a 
musket  as  he  was  dressing,  was  again  shot  into  the 
head,  and  withal  his  surgeon  wounded  to  death.  This 
agreeth  also  with  an  examination  taken  by  Sir  Francis 
Godolphin,  of  four  other  mariners  of  the  same  ship 
being  returned,  which  examination  the  said  Sir 
Francis  sent  unto  Master  William  Killegrew  of  Her 
Majesty's  privy  chamber. 

But  to  return  to  the  fight,  the  Spanish  ships  which 
attempted  to  board  the  Revenge,  as  they  were  wounded 
and  beaten  off,  so  always  others  came  in  their  places, 
she  having  never  less  than  two  mighty  galleons  by  her 
sides,  and  aboard  her.  So  that  ere  the  morning,  from 
three  of  the  clock  the  day  before,  there  had  fifteen 
several  armadas  assailed  her,  and  all  so  ill-approved 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  219 

their  entertainment  as  they  were,  by  the  break  of  day, 
far  more  wilUng  to  hearken  to  a  composition,  than 
hastily  to  make  any  more  assaults  or  entries.  But 
as  the  day  increased,  so  our  men  decreased;  and  as 
the  light  grew  more  and  more,  by  so  much  more  grew 
our  discomforts.  For  none  appeared  in  sight  but 
enemies,  saving  one  small  ship  called  the  Pilgrim, 
commanded  by  Jacob  Whiddoc,  who  hovered  all 
night  to  see  the  success,  but  in  the  morning  bearing 
with  the  Revenge,  was  hunted  like  a  hare  amongst 
many  ravenous  hounds,  but  escaped. 

x\ll  the  powder  of  the  Revenge  to  the  last  barrel 
was  now  spent,  all  her  pikes  broken,  forty  of  her  best 
men  slain,  and  the  most  part  of  the  rest  hurt.  In  the 
beginning  of  the  fight  she  had  but  one  hundred  free 
from  sickness  and  fourscore  and  ten  sick,  laid  in  hold 
upon  the  ballast.  A  small  troop  to  man  such  a  ship, 
and  a  weak  garrison  to  resist  so  mighty  an  arm  v.  By 
those  hundred  all  was  sustained,  the  volleys,  boardings 
and  enterings  of  fifteen  ships  of  war,  besides  those 
which  beat  her  at  large. 

On  the  contrary,  the  Spanish  were  always  supplied 
with  soldiers  brought  from  every  squadron,  all  manner 
of  arms  and  powder  at  will.  Unto  ours  there  remained 
no  comfort  at  all,  no  hope,  no  supply,  either  of  ships, 
men  or  weapons;  the  masts  all  beaten  overboard, 
all  her  tackle  cut  asunder,  her  upper-work  altogether 
razed,  and  in  effect  even  she  was  with  the  water,  but 
the  ver\^  foundation  or  bottom  of  a  ship,  nothing  being 
left  overhead  either  for  flight  or  defence. 

Sir  Richard  finding  himself  in  this  distress  and 
unable  any  longer  to  make  resistance,  haWng  endured 
in  this  fifteen  hours'  fight,  the  assault  of  fifteen  several 
armadas,  all  by  turns  aboard  him,  and  by  estimation 


220  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

eight   hundred  shot   of  great   artillery   besides  many 
assaults  and  entries;    and  that  himself  and  the  ship 
must  needs  be  possessed  by  the  enemy,  who  were  now 
all  cast  in  a  ring  about  him  (the  Revenge  not  able  to 
move  one  way  or  other,  but  as  she  was  moved  with 
the  waves   and   billow   of  the   sea)    commanded   the 
master  gunner,  whom  he  knew  to  be  a  most  resolute 
man,  to  split  and  sink  the  ship;   that  thereby  nothing 
might  remain  of  glory  or  victory  to  the  Spaniards: 
seeing  in  so  many  hours'  fight,  and  with  so  great  a  navy 
they  were  not  able  to  take  her,  having  had  fifteen 
hours'  time,  above  ten  thousand  men  and  fifty  and 
three  sail  of  men-of-war  to  perform  it  withal:    and 
persuaded   the   company,   or   as   many   as   he   could 
induce,   to   yield   themselves   unto   God,   and   to  the 
mercy  of  none  else;    but  as  they  had,  like  valiant 
resolute  men,  repulsed  so  many  enemies,  they  should 
not  now  shorten  the  honour  of  their  nation,  by  pro- 
longing their  own  lives  for  a  few  hours,  or  a  few  days. 
The  master  gunner  readily  condescended,  and  divers 
others ;  but  the  captain  and  the  master  were  of  another 
opinion,  and  besought  Sir  Richard  to  have  care  of 
them:    alleging  that  the  Spaniard  would  be  as  ready 
to  entertain  a  composition  as  they  were  willing  to 
offer  the  same:    and  that  there  being  divers  sufficient 
and  valiant  men  yet  living,  and  whose  wounds  were 
not  mortal,  they  might  do  their  country  and  prince 
acceptable  service  hereafter.    And  whereas  Sir  Richard 
had  alleged  that  the  Spaniards  should  never  glory^  to 
have  taken  one  ship  of  Her  Majesty,  seeing  they  had 
so  long  and  so  notably  defended  themselves;    they 
answered  that  the  ship  had  six  foot  water  in  hold, 
three  shot  under  water,  which  were  so  weakly  stopped 
as  with  the  first  working  of  the  sea  she  must  needs 


RICHARD    GRENVILLE  221 

sink,  and  was  besides  so  crushed  and  bruised  as  she 
could  never  be  removed  out  of  the  place. 

And  as  the  matter  was  thus  in  dispute,  and  Sir 
Richard  refusing  to  hearken  to  any  of  those  reasons; 
the  master  of  the  Revenge  (while  the  captain  won  unto 
him  the  greater  party)  was  convoyed  aboard  the 
general  Don  Alfonso  Bagan.  Who  (finding  none  over- 
hasty  to  enter  the  Revenge  again,  doubting  lest  Sir 
Richard  would  have  blown  them  up  and  himself, 
and  perceiving  by  the  report  of  the  master  of  the 
Revenge  his  dangerous  disposition)  yielded  that  all 
their  lives  should  be  saved,  the  company  sent  for 
England,  and  the  better  sort  to  pay  such  reasonable 
ransom  as  their  estate  would  bear,  and  in  the  mean 
season  to  be  free  from  galley  or  imprisonment.  To 
this  he  so  much  the  rather  condescended  as  well,  as 
I  have  said,  for  fear  of  further  loss  and  mischief  to 
themselves,  as  also  for  the  desire  he  had  to  recover 
Sir  Richard  Grenville,  whom  for  his  notable  valour 
he  seemed  greatly  to  honour  and  admire. 

When  this  answer  was  returned,  and  that  safetv  of 
life  was  promised,  the  common  sort  being  now  at  the 
end  of  their  peril,  the  most  drew  back  from  Sir  Richard 
and  the  master  gunner,  being  no  hard  matter  to 
dissuade  men  from  death  to  life.  The  master  gunner 
finding  himself  and  Sir  Richard  thus  prevented  and 
mastered  by  the  greater  number,  would  have  slain 
himself  with  a  sword,  had  he  not  been  by  force  with- 
held and  locked  into  his  cabin. 

Then  the  general  sent  many  boats  aboard  the 
Revenge,  and  divers  of  our  men  fearing  Sir  Richard's 
disposition,  stole  away  aboard  the  general  and  other 
ships.  Sir  Richard  thus  over-matched  was  sent  unto 
by  Alfonso  Ba^an  to  remove  out  of  the  Revenge,  the 


222  STORIES   FROM   HAXLUYT 

ship  being  marvellous  unsavoury,  filled  with  blood  and 
bodies  of  dead,  and  wounded  men  like  a  slaughter-house. 

Sir  Richard  answered  that  he  might  do  with  his 
body  what  he  list,  for  he  esteemed  it  not,  and  as  he 
was  carried  out  of  the  ship  he  swooned,  and  reviving 
again  desired  the  company  to  pray  for  him.  The 
general  used  Sir  Richard  with  all  humanity,  and  left 
nothing  unattempted  that  tended  to  his  recovery, 
highly  recommending  his  valour  and  worthiness,  and 
greatly  bewailing  the  danger  wherein  he  was,  being 
unto  them  a  rare  spectacle,  and  a  resolution  seldom 
approved,  to  see  one  ship  turn  toward  so  many  enemies, 
to  endure  the  charge  and  boarding  of  so  many  huge 
armadas,  and  to  resist  and  repel  the  assaults  and 
entries  of  so  many  soldiers.  All  which  and  more  is 
confirmed  by  a  Spanish  captain  of  the  same  armada, 
and  a  present  actor  in  the  fight,  who  being  severed 
from  the  rest  in  a  storm,  was  by  the  Lion  of  London  a 
small  ship  taken,  and  is  now  prisoner  in  London. 

The  general  commander  of  the  armada  was  Don 
Alfonso  Bacan,  brother  to  the  Marquess  of  Santa 
Cruz.  The  admiral  of  the  Biscayan  squadron  was 
Britandona.  Of  the  squadron  of  Seville,  the  Marquess 
of  Arumburch.  The  hulks  and  flyboats  were  com- 
manded by  Luis  Coutinho.  There  were  slain  and 
drowned  in  this  fight,  well -near  one  thousand  of  the 
enemies,  and  two  special  commanders,  Don  Luis  de 
Sant  John,  and  Don  George  de  Prunaria  de  Mallaga, 
as  the  Spanish  captain  confesseth,  besides  divers  others 
of  special  account,  whereof  as  yet  report  is  not  made. 

The  admiral  of  the  hulks  and  the  Ascension  of 
Seville  were  both  sunk  by  the  side  of  the  Revenge-, 
one  other  recovered  the  road  of  Saint  Michael,  and 
sunk  also  there;    a  fourth  ran  herself  with  the  shore 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  223 

to  save  her  men.  Sir  Richard  died,  as  it  is  said,  the 
second  or  third  day  aboard  the  general,  and  was  by 
them  greatly  bewailed.  What  became  of  his  body, 
whether  it  were  buried  in  the  sea  or  on  the  land,  we 
know  not:  the  comfort  that  rcmaineth  to  his  friends 
is,  that  he  hath  ended  his  Ufe  honourably  in  respect 
of  the  reputation  won  to  his  nation  and  country,  and 
of  the  same  to  his  posterity,  and  that,  being  dead,  he 
hath  not  outlived  his  own  honour. 

For  the  rest.  Her  Majesty's  ships  that  entered  not 
so  far  into  the  fight  as  the  Revenge,  the  reasons  and 
causes  were  these.  There  were  of  them  but  six  in  all, 
whereof  two  but  small  ships;  the  Revenge  engaged 
past  recovery;  the  island  of  Flores  was  on  the  one 
side,  fifty- three  sail  of  the  Spanish,  divided  into 
squadrons,  on  the  other,  all  as  full  filled  with  soldiers 
as  they  could  contain:  almost  the  one  half  of  our 
men  sick  and  not  able  to  serve,  the  ships  gro\vTi  foul 
and  scarcely  able  to  bear  any  sail  for  want  of  ballast, 
having  been  six  months  at  the  sea  before. 

If  all  the  rest  had  entered,  all  had  been  lost,  for  the 
very  hugeness  of  the  Spanish  fleet,  if  no  other  violence 
had  been  offered,  would  have  crushed  them  between 
them  into  shivers.  Of  the  which  the  dishonour  and  loss 
to  the  Queen  had  been  far  greater  than  the  spoil  or 
harm  that  the  enemy  could  any  way  have  received. 

Notwithstanding,  it  is  very  true  that  the  Lord 
Thomas  would  have  entered  between  the  squadrons, 
but  the  rest  w^ould  not  condescend,  and  the  master 
of  his  own  ship  offered  to  leap  into  the  sea  rather 
than  to  conduct  that  Her  Majesty's  ship  and  the  rest 
to  be  a  prey  to  the  enemy,  where  there  was  no  hope 
or  possibility  either  of  defence  or  victory.  Which  also, 
m  my  opinion,  had  ill  sorted  or  answered  the  discretion 


224  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

and  trust  of  a  general  to  commit  himself  and  his 
charge  to  an  assured  destruction  without  hope  or  any 
likelihood  of  prevailing;  thereby  to  diminish  the 
strength  of  Her  Majesty's  navy  and  to  enrich  the 
pride  and  glory  of  the  enemy. 

The  Foresight  of  the  Queen's,  commanded  by  Mr. 
Thomas  Vavasour,  performed  a  very  great  fight,  and 
stayed  two  hours  as  near  the  Revenge  as  the  weather 
would  permit  him,  not  forsaking  the  fight  till  he  was 
like  to  be  encompassed  by  the  squadrons,  and  with 
great  difficulty  cleared  himself.  The  rest  gave  divers 
volleys  of  shot  and  entered  as  far  as  the  place  per- 
mitted, and  their  own  necessities,  to  keep  the  weather 
gauge  of  the  enemy,  until  they  were  parted  by  night. 

A  few  days  after  the  fight  was  ended  and  the 
English  prisoners  dispersed  into  the  Spanish  and 
Indian  ships,  there  arose  so  great  a  storm  from  the 
west  and  north-west  that  all  the  fleet  was  dispersed, 
as  well  as  the  Indian  fleet,  which  were  then  come  unto 
them,  as  the  rest  of  the  armada  that  attended  their 
arrival,  of  which  fourteen  sail,  together  with  the 
Revenge,  and  in  her  two  hundred  Spaniards,  were  cast 
away  upon  the  isle  of  San  Michael.  So  it  pleased  them 
to  honour  the  burial  of  that  renowned  ship,  the  Revenge, 
not  suffering  her  to  perish  alone,  for  the  great  honour 
she  achieved  in  her  lifetime. 

On  the  rest  of  the  islands  there  were  cast  away  in 
this  storm,  fifteen  or  sixteen  more  of  the  ships  of  war ; 
and  of  an  hundred  and  odd  sail  of  the  Indian  fleet, 
expected  this  year  in  Spain,  what  in  this  tempest  and 
what  before  in  the  Bay  of  Mexico  and  about  the 
Bermudas,  there  were  seventy  and  odd  consumed  and 
lost,  with  those  taken  by  our  ships  of  London,  besides 
one  very  rich  Indian  ship,  which  set  herself  on  fire. 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  225 

being  boarded  by  the  Pilgrim,  and  five  other  taken 
by  Master  Watts  his  ships  of  London,  between  the 
Havana  and  Cape  S.  Antonio.  The  fourth  of  this 
month  of  November  we  received  letters  from  the 
Terceira,  affirming  that  there  are  3,000  bodies  of  men 
remaining  in  that  island,  saved  out  of  the  perished 
ships;  and  that  by  the  Spaniards'  own  confession, 
there  are  10,000  cast  away  in  this  storm,  besides  those 
that  are  perished  between  the  islands  and  the  main. 
Thus  it  hath  pleased  God  to  fight  for  us,  and  to 
defend  the  justice  of  our  cause,  against  the  ambitious 
and  bloody  pretences  of  the  Spaniard,  who  seeking 
to  devour  all  nations,  are  themselves  devoured.  A 
manifest  testimony  how  unjust  and  displeasing  their 
attempts  are  in  the  sight  of  God,  who  hath  pleased 
to  witness,  by  the  success  of  their  affairs,  His  mislike 
of  their  bloody  and  injurious  designs,  purposed  and 
practised  against  all  Christian  princes,  ov^er  whom 
they  seek  unlawful  and  ungodly  rule  and  empire. 

One  day  or  tw^o  before  this  wreck  happened  to  the 
Spanish  fleet,  whenas  some  of  our  prisoners  desired 
to  be  set  on  shore  upon  the  islands,  hoping  to  be  from 
thence  transported  into  England,  which  liberty  was 
formerly  by  the  general  promised;  one  Maurice  Fitz- 
john,  son  of  old  John  of  Desmond,  a  notable  traitor, 
cousin-german  to  the  late  Earl  of  Desmond,  was  sent 
to  the  English  from  ship  to  ship  to  persuade  them  to 
serve  the  King  of  Spain.  The  arguments  he  used  to 
induce  them  were  these:  the  increase  of  pav,  which 
he  promised  to  be  trebled:  advancement  to  the  better 
sort,  and  the  exercise  of  the  true  CathoUc  religion, 
and  safety  of  their  souls  to  all. 

For  the  first,  even  the  beggarly  and  unnatural 
behaviour    of    those    Enghsh    and    Irish    rebels    that 

H 


226  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

served  the  king  in  that  present  action  was  sufficient 
to  answer  that  first  argument  of  rich  pay.  For  so 
poor  and  beggarly  they  were,  as  for  want  of  apparel 
they  stripped  their  countrymen  prisoners  out  of  their 
ragged  garments,  worn  to  nothing  by  six  months' 
service,  and  spared  not  to  despoil  them  even  of  their 
bloody  shirts  from  their  wounded  bodies  and  the  very 
shoes  from  their  feet;  a  notable  testimony  of  their 
rich  entertainment  and  great  wages. 

The  second  reason  was  hope  of  advancement  if  they 
served  well,  and  would  continue  faithful  to  the  king. 
But  what  man  can  be  so  blockishly  ignorant  ever  to 
expect  place  or  honour  from  a  foreign  king,  having  no 
other  argument  or  persuasion  than  his  own  disloyalty ; 
to  be  unnatural  to  his  own  country  that  bred  him,  to 
his  parents  that  begat  him,  and  rebellious  to  his  true 
prince,  to  whose  obedience  he  is  bound  by  oath,  by 
nature  and  by  religion  ? 

No,  they  are  only  assured  to  be  employed  in  all 
desperate  enterprises,  to  be  held  in  scorn  and  disdain 
ever  among  those  whom  they  serve.  And  that  ever 
traitor  was  either  trusted  or  advanced  I  could  never 
yet  read,  neither  can  I  at  this  time  remember  any 
example.  And  no  man  could  have  less  become  the 
place  of  an  orator  for  such  a  purpose  than  this  Maurice 
of  Desmond.  For  the  earl,  his  cousin,  being  one  of 
the  greatest  subjects  in  that  kingdom  of  Ireland, 
having  almost  whole  countries  in  his  possession,  so 
many  goodly  manors,  castles  and  lordships;  the 
county  palatine  of  Kerry,  five  hundred  gentlemen  of 
his  own  name  and  family  to  follow  him,  besides  others 
(all  of  which  he  possessed  in  peace  for  three  or  four 
hundred  years)  was  in  less  than  three  years  after  his 
adhering  to  the  Spaniards  and  rebellion,  beaten  from 


RICHARD   GRENVILLE  227 

all  his  holds,  not  so  many  as  ten  gentlemen  of  his 
name  left  living,  himself  taken  and  beheaded  by  a 
soldier  of  his  own  nation,  and  his  land  given  by  a 
parliament  to  Her  Majesty  and  possessed  by  the 
English;  his  other  cousin,  Sir  John  of  Desmond, 
taken  by  Master  John  Zouch,  and  his  body  hanged 
over  the  gates  of  his  native  city  to  be  devoured  by 
ravens:  the  third  brother,  Sir  James,  hanged,  drawn 
and  quartered  in  the  same  place. 

If  he  had  withal  vaunted  of  his  success  of  his  own 
house,  no  doubt  the  argument  would  have  moved  nmch 
and  wrought  great  effect;  which  because  he  for  that 
present  forgot,  I  thought  it  good  to  remember  in  his 
behalf. 

For  matter  of  rehgion,  it  would  require  a  particular 
volume,  if  I  should  set  down  how  irreligiously  they 
cover  their  greedy  and  ambitious  pretences  with  that 
veil  of  piety.  But  sure  I  am  that  there  is  no  kingdom 
or  commonwealth  in  all  Europe,  but  if  it  be  Reformed, 
they  then  invade  it  for  religion'  sake ;  if  it  be,  as  they 
term,  CathoUc,  they  pretend  title,  as  if  the  kings  of 
Castile  were  the  natural  heirs  of  all  the  world ;  and  so, 
between  both,  no  kingdom  is  unsought. 

Where  they  dare  not  with  their  own  forces  to  invade, 
they  basely  entertain  the  traitors  and  vagabonds  of 
all  nations,  seeking  by  those  and  by  their  nmagate 
Jesuits  to  win  parts,  and  have  by  that  means  ruined 
many  noble  houses  and  others  in  this  land,  and  have 
extinguished  both  their  lives  and  their  families.  What 
good  honour  or  fortune  ever  man  yet  by  them  achieved, 
is  yet  unheard  of  or  unwritten. 

And  if  our  English  Papists  do  but  look  into  Portugal 
against  which  they  have  no  pretence  of  religion,  how 
the  nobility  are  put  to  death,  imprisoned,  their  rich  men 


228  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

made  a  prey  and  all  sorts  of  people  captive ;  they  shall 
find  that  the  obedience  even  of  the  Turk  is  easy  and  a 
liberty,  in  respect  of  the  slavery  and  tyranny  of  Spain. 

What  have  they  done  in  Sicily,  in  Naples,  Milan, 
and  in  the  Low  Countries?  Who  hath  there  been  spared 
for  religion  at  all  ?  And  it  cometh  to  my  remembrance 
of  a  certain  burgher  of  Antwerp,  whose  house  being 
entered  by  a  company  of  Spanish  soldiers,  when  they 
first  sacked  the  city,  he  besought  them  to  spare  him 
and  his  goods,  being  a  good  Catholic  and  one  of  their 
own  party  and  faction.  The  Spaniards  answered  that 
they  knew  him  to  be  of  a  good  conscience  for  himself, 
but  his  money,  plate,  jewels  and  goods  were  all  heretical, 
and  therefore  good  prize.  So  they  abused  and  tor- 
mented the  foolish  Fleming,  and  hoped  that  an  Agnus 
Dei  had  been  a  sufficient  target  against  all  force  of 
that  holy  and  charitable  nation. 

Neither  have  they  at  any  time,  as  they  protest, 
invaded  the  kingdoms  of  the  Indies  and  Peru  and 
elsewhere,  but  only  led  thereunto  rather  to  reduce  the 
people  to  Christianity,  than  for  either  gold  or  empire. 
Whenas  in  one  only  island,  called  Hispaniola,  they 
have  wasted  thirty  hundred  thousand  of  the  natural 
people,  besides  many  millions  else  in  other  places  of 
the  Indies:  a  poor  and  harmless  people,  created  by 
God,  and  might  have  been  won  to  His  knowledge, 
as  many  of  them  were,  and  almost  as  many  as  ever 
were  persuaded  thereunto.  The  story  whereof  is  at 
large,  written  by  a  bishop  of  their  own  nation,  called 
Bartholomew  de  las  Casas,  and  translated  into  English, 
and  many  other  languages,  entitled  The  SpanishCruelties. 

W^ho  would  therefore  repose  trust  in  such  a  nation 
of  ravenous  strangers,  and  especially  in  those  Spaniards, 
which  more  greedily  thirst  after  English  blood,  than 


RICHARD    GRENVILLE  229 

after  the  lives  of  any  otlier  people  of  Europe,  for  the 
many  overthrows  and  dishonours  they  have  received  at 
our  hands,  whose  weakness  we  have  discovered  to  the 
world,  and  whose  forces  at  home,  abroad,  in  Europe, 
in  India,  by  sea  and  land,  we  have,  even  with  handfuls 
of  men  and  ships,  overthrown  and  dishonoured? 

Let  not,  therefore,  any  Englishman,  of  what  religion 
soever,  have  other  opinion  of  the  Spaniards,  but  that 
those  whom  he  seeketh  to  win  of  our  nation,  he 
esteemeth  base  and  traitorous,  unworthy  persons,  or 
inconstant  fools;  and  that  he  useth  his  pretence  of 
religion  for  no  other  purpose  but  to  bewitch  us  from 
the  obedience  of  our  natural  prince,  thereby  hoping 
in  time  to  bring  us  to  slavery  and  subjection,  and  then 
none  shall  be  unto  them  so  odious  and  disdained  as 
the  traitors  themselves,  who  have  sold  their  countr\' 
to  a  stranger  and  forsaken  their  faith  and  obedience, 
contrary  to  nature  and  religion,  and  contrary  to  that 
human  and  general  honour,  not  only  of  Christians,  but 
of  heathen  and  irreligious  nations,  who  have  always 
sustained  what  labour  soever,  and  embraced  even 
death  itself  for  their  country,  prince  or  commonwealth. 

To  conclude,  it  hath  ever  to  this  day  pleased  God 
to  prosper  and  defend  Her  Majesty,  to  break  the  pur- 
poses of  malicious  enemies,  of  forsworn  traitors  and 
of  unjust  practices  and  invasions.  She  hath  ever  been 
honoured  of  the  worthiest  kings,  served  by  faithful 
subjects,  and  shall,  by  the  favour  of  God,  resist,  repel 
and  confound  all  whatsoever  attempts  against  her 
sacred  person  or  kingdom.  In  the  meantime,  let  the 
Spaniard  and  traitor  vaunt  of  their  success,  and  we, 
her  true  and  obedient  vassals,  guided  by  the  shining 
light  of  her  virtues,  shall  always  love  her,  serve  her, 
and  obey  her  to  the  end  of  our  lives. 


The  voyage  truly  discoursed,  made  by  Sir  Francis  Drake, 
and  Sir  John  Hawkins,  chiefly  pretended  for  some 
special  service  on  the  islands  and  main  of  the  West 
Indies,  with  six  of  the  Queen's  ships,  and  twenty- 
one  other  ships  and  barques,  containing  2,500  men 
and  boys,  in  the  year  1595.  In  which  voyage  both 
the  foresaid  knights  died  by  sickness. 

We  brake  ground  out  of  the  Sound  of  Plymouth, 
on  Thursday  the  28th  of  August,  and  that  night 
anchored  again  in  Cawsand  Bay,  where  we  rode  till 
Friday.  Then  we  set  sail  and  stood  south-west:  and 
about  three  of  the  clock  the  next  morning  the  Hope, 
wherein  Sir  Thomas  Baskerville  went,  struck  upon 
the  Eddystone,  and  shot  off  a  piece,  but  after  cleared 
herself  well  enough. 

On  Monday,  at  six  of  the  clock  in  the  morning,  the 
Land's  End  bare  north-west  and  by  north,  and  then 
we  stood  away  south-west  and  by  south  for  the  coast 
of  Spain. 

The  8th  of  September  we  took  two  small  Flemish 
fiyboats  bound  for  Barbary;  which  we  carried  awhile 
with  us,  and  afterwards  dismissed  them  without 
doing  them  any  harm ;  only  we  learned  news  of  them, 
and  stayed  them  from  descrying  our  fleet  to  the  enemy. 

Pretended.  Plaaned, 
230 


DRAKE   AND   HAWKINS  231 

The  26th  we  saw  Forteventura,  being  one  of  the 
islands  of  the  Canaries. 

The  27th,  being  Saturday,  by  break  of  day  we  had 
overshot  the  chief  town  of  Grand  Canar\^  to  the  north  - 
east,  and  then  stood  about  for  it  again,  and  by  nine 
of  the  clock  were  at  anchor  fair  before  the  fort,  to  the 
eastward  of  the  town  some  league.  At  one  of  the 
clock  we  offered  to  land  one  thousand  and  four  hundred 
men  in  the  sandy  bay  betwixt  the  fort  and  the  town. 
But  by  our  detracting  of  the  time  the}'  had  made  a 
bulwark  in  the  sandy  bay  and  planted  ordinance:  so 
that  by  reason  thereof,  and  the  great  breach  of  the 
sea  that  went  then  on  shore,  we  were  not  able  to  land 
without  endangering  our  whole  forces,  which  our 
general  would  not  do. 

There  were  of  Spaniards,  horsemen  and  footmen 
some  nine  hundred,  which  pla^^ed  upon  us  out  of  their 
trenches,  most  of  them  being  shot.  At  the  time  of  our 
landing  there  went  by  commandment  of  our  generals 
within  musket-shot  of  the  shore,  and  rode  there  at 
anchor  some  three  hours,  the  Salomon,  the  Bona- 
venture,  the  Elizabeth  Constance,  the  Phoenix,  the  Jeivek 
the  Little  John,  the  Delight,  the  Pegasus,  the  Exchange, 
the  Francis,  the  caravel,  and  the  two  catches:  but 
when  the  general  Sir  Francis  Drake  gave  over  the 
landing,  being  in  his  barge,  the  ships  weighed,  being 
in  some  danger,  and  stood  off  again  to  the  great  ships. 
Then  we  went  to  the  west  end  of  the  island,  and  there 
watered;  where  Captain  Grimston  going  up  the  hill 
with  six  or  seven  in  his  company  was  set  upon  bv  the 
herdmen,  who  with  their  dogs  and  staves  killed  the 

Caravel.  A  small,  light  and  fast  ship. 

Catches.  Two-masted  strongly  built  vessels  of  loo  250 
tons  burthen. 


232  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

captain  and  three  or  four  of  his  company:  the  rest 
were  sore  wounded:  the  Salomon's  surgeon  taken 
prisoner,  who  disclosed  our  pretended  voyage  as  much 
as  in  him  lay:  so  as  the  viceroy  sent  a  caravel  of 
adviso  into  the  Indies,  unto  all  such  places  as  we  did 
pretend  to  go  to.  Howbeit  they  had  intelligence  from 
the  king  of  all  our  voyage,  the  8th  of  August,  which 
was  three  weeks  before  we  set  forth  of  England;  as 
also  by  a  Fleming  that  had  seen  all  our  provision  at 
London. 

The  28th,  being  Sunday,  at  ten  of  the  clock  at  night 
we  set  sail,  and  stood  away  south-west  and  south- 
south-w^est  some  two  hundred  leagues,  until  we  came 
in  the  height  of  the  islands  of  Cape  Verde,  and  then 
more  westerly  for  Martinico,  one  of  the  islands  of  the 
West  Indies,  which  we  saw  the  27th  of  October:  but 
the  night  before  we  had  a  storm,  in  which  Sir  Francis 
with  four  or  five  other  ships  bearing  on  head  of  the 
fleet  was  separated.  Then  we  stood  for  Dominica,  an 
island  full  of  inhabitants  of  the  race  of  the  cannibals, 
not  past  ten  leagues  distant  from  Martinico.  In  it 
groweth  great  store  of  tobacco:  where  most  of  our 
English  and  French  men  barter  knives,  hatchets,  saw^s, 
and  such-like  iron  tools  in  truck  of  tobacco. 

Before  we  came  to  Dominica  our  general,  Sir  Francis 
Drake,  altered  his  course,  and  went  for  Marigalante, 
which  we  had  sight  of  the  28th  day,  and  came  to  an 
anchor  on  the  north-east  side.  There  the  general  went 
on  shore  in  his  barge,  and  by  chance  met  a  canoe  of 
Dominicans,  to  the  people  whereof  he  gave  a  yellow 
waistcoat  of  flannel  and  an  handkerchief;  and  they 
gave  him  such  fruits  as  they  had,  and  the  Dominicans 
rowed  to  Dominica  again.  They  came  thither  to  fetch 
Truck.  Trade. 


DRAKE   AND    HAWKINS  233 

some  fruits  which  they  sow  and  plant  in  divers  places 
of  that  island,  which  they  keep  like  gardens. 

The  next  morning  by  break  of  day  we  weighed  and 
stood  between  the  Todos  Santos,  which  are  four  or 
five  httle  islands  between  Guadeloupe  and  Dominica. 
There  is  nothing  upon  these  islands  but  wood.  We 
came  to  the  south-east  side  of  Guadeloupe,  and  there 
anchored  hard  aboard  the  shore:  the  south-west  side 
of  the  island  is  deep  water  and  good  anchorage :  where 
that  day  Sir  John  Hawkins  came  to  us  again,  standing 
up  from  the  south  side  of  Dominica.  There  we  watered, 
washed  our  ships,  set  up  our  pinnaces,  and  refreshed 
our  soldiers  on  shore. 

The  30th,  Captain  Wignol  in  the  Francis,  a  barque 
of  thirty-ftve  tons,  being  the  sternmost  of  Sir  John 
Hawkins'  fleet  was  chased  by  five  of  the  King  of  Spain's 
frigates  or  zabras,  being  ships  of  two  hundred  tons 
apiece,  which  came  of  purpose  with  three  other  zabras 
for  the  treasure  of  S.  Juan  de  Puerto  Rico:  the  Francis 
going  room  with  them,  supposing  they  had  been  our 
own  fleet,  was  by  them  taken  in  sight  of  our  caravel. 
They  left  the  Francis  driving  in  the  sea  with  three  or 
four  hurt  and  sick  men,  and  took  the  rest  of  our  men 
into  their  ships,  as  the  prisoners  which  we  took  at 
S.  Juan  de  Puerto  Rico  told  us. 

The  4th  of  November  we  began  to  unlade  the  Richard, 
one  of  our  victuallers,  which  was  by  the  next  unladen, 
unrigged  and  then  sunken.  Then  we  stood  north-west 
and  by  north:  and  the  next  morning  saw  the  islands 
of  Montserrata,  Redonda,  Estazia,  S.  Christopher  and 
Saba.  The  biggest  of  these  islands  is  not  past  eight 
leagues  long.  There  is  good  anchorage  in  eight,  seven, 
and  five  fathoms  water,  fair  white  sand.  Then  we 
stood  away  south-west,  and  on  the  8th  in  the  morning, 

*H 


234  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

being  Saturday,  came  to  an  anchor  some  seven  or 
eight  leagues  off  within  certain  broken  islands  called 
Las  Virgines,  which  have  been  accounted  dangerous: 
but  we  found  there  a  very  good  road,  had  it  been  for 
a  thousand  sails  of  ships,  in  fourteen,  twelve,  and  eight 
fathoms  fair  sand  and  good  anchorage,  high  islands  on 
either  side,  but  no  fresh  water  that  we  could  find: 
here  is  much  fish  to  be  taken  with  hooks  and  nets: 
also  we  stayed  on  shore  and  fowled.  Here  Sir  John 
Hawkins  w^as  extreme  sick;  which  his  sickness  began 
upon  news  of  the  taking  of  the  Francis.  The  i8th  day 
we  weighed  and  stood  north  and  by  east  into  a  lesser 
sound,  which  Sir  Francis  in  his  barge  discovered  the 
night  before,  and  anchored  in  thirteen  fathoms,  having 
high  steep  hills  on  either  side,  some  league  distant 
from  our  first  riding. 

The  1 2th  in  the  morning  we  weighed  and  set  sail 
into  the  sea  due  south  through  a  small  strait,  but 
without  danger,  and  then  stood  west  and  by  north 
for  S.  Juan  de  Puerto  Rico,  and  in  the  afternoon  left 
the  three  small  islands  called  The  Passages  to  the 
southward  of  us,  and  that  night  came  up  to  the 
easternmost  end  of  S.  John,  where  Sir  John  Hawkins 
departed  this  life:  upon  whose  decease  Sir  Thomas 
Baskerville  presently  went  into  the  Garland. 

At  two  of  the  clock  we  came  to  anchor  at  the  eastern- 
most side  of  the  chief  town,  called  Puerto  Rico,  in  a 
sandy  bay  two  miles  off  :  where  we  received  from 
their  forts  and  places  where  they  planted  ordinance 
some  twenty-eight  great  shot,  the  last  of  which  struck 
the  admiral  through  the  mizzen,  and  the  last  but  one 
struck  through  her  quarter  into  the  steerage,  the 
general  being  there  at  supper,  and  struck  the  stool 
from  under  him,  but  hurt  him  not,  but  hurt  at  the 


DRAKE  AND   HAWKINS  235 

same  table  Sir  Nicholas  Clifford,  M.  Browne,  Captain 
Stratford,  with  one  or  two  more.  Sir  Nicholas  Clifford 
and  Master  Browne  died  of  their  hurts. 

Then  we  set  sail  and  stood  to  the  eastward,  and  at 
midnight  tacked  about  to  the  west,  and  in  the  morning 
came  to  an  anchor  before  the  point  without  the  town, 
a  little  to  the  westwards  by  the  three  islands. 

The  13th  we  rode  still  until  night,  when  in  the 
beginning  wdth  twenty-five  pinnaces,  boats  and  shallops 
manned  and  furnished  with  fireworks  and  small  shot 
we  went  into  the  road  within  the  great  castles,  and  in 
despite  of  them  fired  the  five  zabras  or  frigates,  all 
ships  of  two  hundred  tons  the  piece  or  more,  quite 
burning  the  rear-admiral  down  to  the  water,  which 
was  the  greatest  ship  of  them  all,  and  also  mightily 
spoiled  the  admiral  and  vice-admiral,  notwithstanding 
the  castles  and  ships  gave  us  a  hundred  eighty  and 
five  great  shot,  besides  small  shot  abundance.  They 
had  also  sunk  a  great  ship  in  the  mouth  of  the  channel 
and  rafted  it  over  with  her  masts  almost  to  the  verv 
forts  and  castles,  so  as  they  thought  it  impregnable. ' 

The  frigates  had  in  each  of  them  twenty  pieces  of 
brass,  and  a  hundred  barrels  of  powder.  Their  chief 
lading  that  they  brought  thither  was  silk,  oil,  and 
\vine.  The  treasure  which  they  went  to  fetch,  which 
was  brought  thither  in  a  ship  called  the  Vigonia,  was 
conveyed  into  the  strongest  and  surest  castle  of 
defence:  being,  as  one  of  the  prisoners  confessed, 
three  millions  of  ducats  or  five  and  thirty  tons  of 
silver.  Also  they  had  sent  all  the  women,  children 
and  unable  persons  into  the  woods,  and  left  none  but 
soldiers  and  fighting  men  in  the  town.  The  fight  on 
our  side  was  resolute,  hot,  and  dangerous:  wherein 
we  lost  some  forty  or  fiftv  men,  and  so  manv  were 


236  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

hurt.  There  was  also  great  death  of  the  Spaniards 
aboard  the  frigate,  with  burning,  drowning,  and 
killing,  and  besides  some  taken  prisoners. 

The  14th  we  rode  still,  being  within  shot  of  the 
uttermost  castle:  but  they  fearing  the  next  night  we 
would  come  in  again,  began  to  warp  up  the  other 
four  frigates,  beginning  first  with  the  admiral:  which 
whether  by  chance  or  their  own  wills  we  saw  to  sink; 
and  as  we  suppose  so  did  they  with  all  the  rest,  or  else 
by  stealth  got  up  farther  within  their  chiefest  forces. 

The  15th  also  we  rode  still,  and  at  afternoon  we 
espied  a  caravel  coming  from  the  castle  point:  but 
before  our  pinnaces  could  fetch  her  up,  she  ran  on 
shore,  where  our  boats  could  not  come  at  her  because 
of  the  breach,  and  also  many  of  the  islanders  came 
down  to  guard  her  with  shot.  The  beginning  of  this 
night  we  weighed,  and  stood  one  hour  to  the  east, 
and  then  tacked  about  to  the  west. 

The  i6th,  being  Sunday,  and  the  17th  also,  we  were 
becalmed. 

The  i8th  we  anchored  a  little  to  the  southward  of 
the  south-west  point  of  the  island,  giving  the  point  a 
berth  because  of  a  shoal  of  sand  that  lieth  some  two 
cables'  length  off:  there  we  rode  in  four,  five  and  six 
fathoms  fair  white  sand,  where  we  set  up  more 
pinnaces,  washed  our  ships,  and  refreshed  our  men  on 
shore.  Here  the  general  took  a  pinnace  of  Hispaniola 
with  divers  letters,  signifying  that  two  English  men- 
of-war  had  done  great  hurt  along  their  island. 

The  20th  the  general  rowed  to  the  Phoenix,  the 
Delight  and  the  caravel,  and  caused  them  to  weigh 
and  anchor  right  against  the  mouth  of  a  fresh  river 
in  two  fathoms  water  in  oozy  sand,  to  the  southward 
of  the  other  ships  some  league  or  more.    The  general 


DRAKE   AND   HAWKINS  237 

went  into  this  river  three  or  four  leagues  up,  and  took 
horses  in  the  country.  Sir  Thomas  Baskervillc  rowed 
up  the  river,  and  stayed  there  all  night,  and  went  up 
into  the  land  three  or  four  leagues. 

The  23rd  we  discharged  a  barque  called  the  Pulpit 
and  burnt  her:  and  at  three  of  the  clock  that  afternoon, 
when  we  were  ready  to  set  sail,  there  came  aboard  the 
Defiance,  our  admiral,  a  Spaniard  with  his  wife,  who 
feared  some  great  torment  for  not  having  repaired  to 
the  town  according  to  the  general's  commandment 
of  that  island,  who  had  commanded  that  all  able  men 
of  the  fleet  should  repair  to  the  town  to  defend  it 
against  us.  Then  we  stood  again  west  and  by  north 
because  of  a  ledge  of  rocks  that  lie  sunk  four  or  five 
leagues  off  the  south  side  of  the  island. 

The  25th  we  stood  away  south-west,  and  saw  Mona, 
being  a  low  flat  island  between  Hispaniola  and  S.  Juan 
de  Puerto  Rico.  That  day  the  ExcJiange  of  Captain 
Winter  spent  her  bowsprit;  and  in  the  beginning 
of  the  night  the  Phoenix  was  sent  back  to  seek  her: 
which  by  God's  help  that  night  met  with  her,  and  kept 
her  company  until  the  next  morning,  then  taking  in  a 
small  cable  from  her  for  a  tow;  but  by  nine  that 
morning  she  spent  her  main-mast  and  split  her  fore- 
yard,  breaking  also  her  tow ;  as  they  were  fain  to  save 
some  trifles  out  of  her,  and  the  men,  and  to  sink  the 
hull.  Then  we  stood  away  south,  and  south  and  by 
west,  after  the  fleet:  and  the  26th  in  the  morning  had 
sight  of  the  fleet  again. 

The  29th  we  had  sight  of  the  island  called  Curazao, 
within  eight  leagues  of  the  main,  and  on  the  north- 
west side  came  to  an  anchor  in  xevy  deep  water  hard 
aboard  the  shore  without  any  danger:  but  the  general 
weighed  presently  and  stood  away  north-west  and  by 


.238  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

west,  and  north-north-west  for  the  Main,  and  at  night 
sav/  Aruba,  being  somewhat  a  less  island  than  the 
other:  we  left  it  some  three  leagues  to  the  southward 
of  us. 

On  Sunday  morning,  being  the  last  of  November, 
we  saw  three  or  four  little  islands  called  the  Monjes, 
betwixt  Aruba  and  the  next  north  point  of  the  Main. 
At  twelve  of  the  clock  we  saw  a  great  current  setting 
to  the  westward,  and  also  the  water  changing  very 
white.  The  Phoenix,  the  caravel,  and  one  of  the  catches 
kept  within,  and  at  midnight  came  under  Cape  de  le 
Vela,  and  made  a  fire,  whereby  the  rest  of  the  fleet 
came  to  anchor  under  the  cape,  where  is  a  very  good 
road,  fair  sholding  and  sandy  ground,  fourteen,  twelve 
and  ten  fathoms  near  the  shore. 

The  cape  is  a  bare  land  without  trees  or  shrubs, 
and  falleth  in  eight  or  ten  leagues  south-east  and  north- 
west; and  a  saker-shot  off  the  point  standeth  a  little 
island  like  Mewestone,  near  Plymouth,  but  somewhat 
bigger.  In  the  morning,  the  ist  of  December,  we 
embarked  all  our  soldiers  for  Rio  de  la  Hacha,  which 
is  a  town  nearly  twenty  leagTies  to  the  westwards,  one 
of  the  ancientest  in  all  the  main,  although  not  very 
big;  but  it  standeth  in  a  most  fertile  and  pleasant 
soil.  Our  men  took  it  by  ten  of  the  clock  in  the  night. 
The  ships  bearing  all  that  night  and  the  day  before  in 
five  and  six  fathoms,  the  lesser  ships  in  two  fathoms 
and  a  half  water:  the  Phoenix  went  so  near  the  shore 
by  the  general's  commandment,  that  she  struck  on 
ground,  but  got  off  again. 

There  lieth  to  the  eastward  of  the  town  a  mile  or 
thereabout  a  shold  of  sand;    therefore  give  a  berth 

Sholding.  Shoaling,  i.e.  shallow  water. 
Saker.  An  old  form  of  cannon. 


I 


DRAKE  \\ND    HAWKINS  239 

some  half-league  or  more  before  you  come  right  against 
the  town.  There  we  came  to  anchor  in  two  fathoms, 
but  the  great  ships  rode  off  in  five  or  six  fathoms.  There 
is  a  fresh  river  about  a  bow-shot  to  the  eastward  of 
the  town;  whereinto  our  pinnaces  could  scarce  enter 
by  reason  of  a  bar  of  sand  in  the  river's  mouth,  but 
within  it  is  navigable  for  barques  of  twenty  or  thirty 
tons,  some  six  or  eight  leagues  up. 

The  6th  day  the  Spaniards  came  in  to  talk  about 
the  ransom  of  the  town,  but  not  to  the  general  his 
liking ;  and  that  night  Sir  Thomas  Baskerville  marched 
up  into  the  country  to  over-run  those  parts;  and  the 
general  the  same  night  with  some  hundred  and  fifty 
men  went  by  water,  six  leagues  to  the  eastward,  and 
took  the  Rancheria,  a  fisher  town,  where  they  drag 
for  pearl.  The  people  all  fled  except  some  sixteen  or 
twent}'  soldiers,  which  fought  a  little,  but  some  were 
taken  prisoners,  besides  many  negroes,  with  some 
store  of  pearls  and  other  pillage.  In  the  houses  we 
refreshed  ourselves,  and  were  all  embarked  to  come 
away,  and  then  had  sight  of  a  brigandine  or  a  dredger, 
which  the  general  took  within  one  hour's  chase  with 
his  two  barges;  she  had  in  her  India  wheat,  which 
we  call  maize,  and  some  silver  and  pearl,  but  of  small 
value. 

On  Saturday  the  7th,  Master  Yorke,  captain  of 
the  Hope,  died  of  sickness,  and  then  Master  Thomas 
Drake,  the  general's  brother,  was  made  captain  of  the 
Hope,  and  Master  Jonas  Bodenham  captain  of  the 
Adventure,  and  Master  Charles  Caesar  captain  of 
the  Amity. 

The  loth  day  the  Spaniards  concluded  for  the 
ransom  of  the  town  for  24,000  ducats,  and  one  prisoner 
promised  to  pay  for  his  ransom  4,000  ducats. 


240  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

The  14th  day  they  brought  in  the  town's  ransom 
in  pearls,  but  rated  so  dear  as  the  general  after  confer- 
ence with  them,  misliking  it,  sent  it  back  again,  givdng 
them  four  hours'  respite  to  clear  themselves  with  their 
treasure. 

The  1 6th  the  governor  came  into  the  town  about 
dinner,  and  upon  conference  with  the  general  told 
him  plainly,  that  he  cared  not  for  the  town,  neither 
would  he  ransom  it:  and  that  the  pearl  was  brought 
in  without  his  command  or  consent,  and  that  his 
detracting  of  time  so  long  was  only  to  send  the  other 
towns  word,  that  were  not  of  force  to  withstand  us, 
whereby  they  might  convey  all  their  goods,  cattle, 
and  wealth  into  the  woods  out  of  danger.  So  the 
general  gave  the  governor  leave  to  depart  according 
to  promise,  having  two  hours  to  withdraw  himself 
in  safety. 

The  17th,  Sir  Thomas  Baskerville  with  the  Elizabeth 
Constance,  the  Phcenix,  the  caravel,  with  four  or  five 
pinnaces,  went  some  five  leagues  to  the  westward, 
and  landing,  marched  some  four  leagues  up  into 
the  country  to  a  place  called  Tapia,  which  he  took  and 
burned  certain  villages  and  farmhouses  about  it.  He 
had  some  resistance  as  he  passed  over  a  river,  but  had 
but  one  man  hurt,  which  he  brought  aboard  alive  with 
him;  he  marched  one  league  farther  and  burnt  a 
village  called  Sallamca,  and  so  returned  with  some 
prisoners,  the  soldiers  having  gotten  some  pillage. 

The  1 8th  the  Rancheria  and  the  town  of  Rio  de  la 
Hacha  were  burnt  clean  down  to  the  ground,  the 
churches  and  a  lady's  house  only  excepted,  which  b}^ 
her  letters  written  to  the  general  was  preserved.  That 
day  we  set  sail  and  fell  to  leeward,  to  meet  with  Sir 
Thomas  Baskerville. 


DRAKE   AND    HAWKINS  241 

The  19th  we  weighed  and  stood  to  leeward  for 
Cape  de  Aguja,  which,  the  20th,  at  sun-rising  we  saw. 
It  is  a  cape  subject  to  much  flaws,  by  reason  it  is  a 
very  high  land;  aud  within  the  cape  lieth  an  island 
within  the  mouth  of  the  sound,  which  hath  a  white 
cliff  or  spot  in  the  west-north-west  part  of  the  island. 
The  land  all  about  the  cape  riseth  all  in  hummocks 
or  broken  steep  hills.  A  league  south-west  within  that 
(for  so  falleth  the  land  thereabout)  there  standeth  on 
the  top  of  a  cliff  a  watch-house:  and  a  little  within 
that  a  small  island :  you  may  go  in  between  the  main 
and  it,  or  to  leeward  if  you  list ;  and  hard  within  that 
is  the  road  and  town  of  Santa  Martha,  which  at  eleven 
of  the  clock  we  took,  the  people  all  being  fled,  except 
a  few  Spaniards,  negroes  and  Indians,  which  in  a 
bravado  at  our  landing  gave  us  some  thirty  or  forty 
shot,  and  so  ran  away. 

That  night  their  lieutenant-general  was  taken  and 
some  little  pillage  brought  in  out  of  the  woods:  for 
in  the  town  was  left  nothing  but  the  houses  swept 
clean.  In  all  the  Main  is  not  a  richer  place  for  gold; 
for  it  was  mixed  with  the  earth  in  every  place,  and 
also  in  the  sand  a  little  to  the  leewards  of  the  town. 
In  the  bay  we  had  a  bad  road  by  reason  of  a  small 
moon,  for  every  small  moon  maketh  foul  weather 
all  the  Main  along. 

The  2ist  the  general  caused  the  town  to  be  burnt, 
and  all  the  ships  to  weigh,  and  stood  out,  many  of 
the  soldiers  being  embarked  where  the  general  had 
appointed,  in  the  small  ships  which  rode  nearest  the 
shore.  We  lost  that  night  the  company  of  the  Phoenix, 
Captain  Austin,  Peter  Lemond,  and  the  Garland's 
pinnace,  which  stood  along  the  shore,  being  chased  off 
by  galleys  out   of   Carthagena.    Peter   Lemond  with 


-242  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

nine  of  our  men  was  taken,  the  rest  came  safe  to  our 
iieet. 

The  26th  we  saw  the  islands  some  twelve  leagues 
to  the  eastward  of  Nombre  de  Dios  standing  in  toward 
the  shore,  but  towards  night  we  stood  to  the  ofhng  until 
the  next  day. 

The  27th  we  came  into  the  mouth  of  Nombre  de 
Dios,  and  by  one  of  the  clock  took  the  town,  the 
people  being  all  fled  except  some  hundred  Spaniards, 
-which  kept  the  fort,  and  played  upon  us,  having  in  the 
fort  three  or  four  small  pieces  of  ordinance,  and  one 
of  them  broke  in  discharging  at  us.  They  gave  us  also 
a  volley  of  small  shot;  but  seeing  our  resolution  in 
running  upon  them  they  all  fled  and  took  the  woods. 

The  town  was  big,  having  large  streets,  houses  very 
high,  all  built  of  timber,  but  one  church  very  fair  and 
large,  wrought  all  of  timber  likewise.  Nothing  was 
left  in  the  town  of  value:  there  was  a  show  in  their 
shops  of  great  merchandises  that  had  been  there. 
There  was  a  mill  above  the  town,  and  upon  the  top 
of  another  hill  in  the  woods  stood  a  little  watchhouse, 
rvvhere  we  took  twenty  sows  of  silver,  two  bars  of  gold, 
5ome  money  in  coin,  besides  other  pillage. 

The  town  was  situated  in  a  watery  soil,  and  subject 
much  to  rain,  very  unhealthy  as  any  place  in  the 
Indies,  having  great  store  of  oranges,  plantains,  cas- 
sava-roots, and  such  other  fruits;  but  very  dangerous 
to  be  eaten  for  breeding  of  diseases.  To  the  eastward 
of  the  town  within  the  bay  runneth  out  a  fresh  river 
of  excellent  good  water,  with  houses,  and  all  about  it 
gardens:  half  a  league  from  hence  due  east  into  the 
country  was  an  Indian  town,  whither  as  we  marched 
a  little  before  our  coming  away  with  a  hundred  men 
they  had  broken  down  a  bridge  to  hinder  our  passage, 


DRAKE   AND   HAWKINS  243 

where  they  lay  in  ambush  with  some  twenty  or  thirty 
small  shot,  and  bows  and  arrows,  set  upon  us,  and 
killed  Lieutenant  Jones,  hurt  three  or  four  and  so 
fled  into  the  woods,  ran  before  us  and  fired  their  own 
town,  and  then  fled  farther  into  the  woods:  our  men 
tired  divers  other  houses  in  pursuing  them,  and  so 
returned  again:  our  general  with  Sir  Thomas  being; 
in  the  river's  mouth  with  thirty  or  forty  men  filling; 
water  about  some  mile  from  us. 

The  road  of  Nombre  de  Dios  is  a  fair  road;  but 
on  each  side,  as  you  come  to  ride  before  the  town. 
Heth  a  ledge  of  rocks,  but  there  is  no  danger  because 
they  are  in  sight.  You  may  ride  between  them  in 
three  or  four  fathom  water,  and  without  if  you  will  in 
eight  or  ten  fathoms,  where  neither  castle  nor  fort  can 
annoy  you.  The  name  of  Xombre  de  Dios  was  greater 
than  their  strength.  For  they  had  no  castle  nor  fort, 
but  only  the  little  fort  aforesaid  standing  on  the  top 
of  an  hill,  although  they  might  have  made  it  stronger 
if  they  would. 

The  29th,  Sir  Thomas  Baskerville  with  750  armed 
men,  besides  surgeons  and  provand  bovs,  went  for 
Panama. 

The  last  of  December  the  general  burned  half  the 
town,  and  the  ist  of  January  burnt  the  rest,  with  all 
the  frigates,  barques  and  galiots,  which  were  in  the 
harbour  and  on  the  beach  on  shore,  having  houses 
built  over  them  to  keep  the  pitch  from  melting. 

The  2nd  of  January,  Sir  Thomas  returned  with  his- 
soldiers  both  weary  and  hungry,  having  marched 
more  than  half  the  way  to  the  South  Sea.  The  Spaniards 
played  divers  times  upon  us  both  outward  and  home- 

Provand.   Provender. 

Galiots.  Small  galleys  or  boats  propelled  by  sails  and  oars. 


244  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

ward  in  the  woods,  the  way  being  cut  out  of  the  woods 
and  rocks  both  very  narrow,  and  full  of  mire  and  water. 
The  march  was  so  sore  as  never  Englishman  marched 
before.  Having  marched  some  ten  leagues  in  a  mar- 
vellous strait  way,  upon  the  top  of  an  hill,  through 
which  we  must  needs  pass,  the  Spaniards  had  set  up 
a  fort  and  kept  it  with  some  eighty  or  ninety  men,  who 
played  upon  us  as  we  came  up,  before  we  were  aware 
of  them,  and  so  killed  some  twenty  or  more  of  us, 
amongst  whom  was  Captain  Marchant,  quartermaster- 
general,  and  Ensign  Sampson,  Maurice  Williams,  one 
of  Her  Majesty's  guard,  besides  divers  were  hurt,  as 
M.  Captain  Nicholas  Baskerville,  a  valiant  gentleman, 
with  divers  others.  Then  Sir  Thomas  had  perfect 
knowledge  that  they  must  pass  two  such  forts  more, 
if  he  got  that,  besides  Panama  to  be  very  strong,  the 
enemy  knowing  of  our  coming  long  before. 

Also  our  soldiers  had  no  victuals  left,  nor  any  means 
to  get  more;  which  considerations  caused  Sir  Thomas 
to  return  and  give  over  his  attempt.  As  he  marched 
thitherward  he  took  an  Indian  and  sent  him  to  Nombre 
de  Dios  with  letters  of  his  return  and  proceeding. 

The  5th  we  set  sail  at  twelve  of  the  clock,  and  stood 
to  the  westward. 

The  loth  day  we  saw  an  island  lying  westward  some 
thirty  leagues,  called  Escudo,  where  we  came  to  anchor 
on  the  south  side  in  twelve  fathoms  water,  fair  sand 
and  good  anchorage.  If  you  come  into  the  eastern 
point,  give  it  a  berth,  because  of  a  ledge  of  rocks,  that 
lieth  out  there  from  the  end  of  the  island:  coming  to 
anchor  we  saw  a  roader,  who  seeing  us,  set  sail,  but 
that  night  with  our  pinnaces  we  took  him;  he  had 
nothing  in  him  but  a  little  maize.  The  men  being 
examined   by   the   general   confessed   him   to   be   an 


DRAKE   AND   HAWKINS  245 

advisor  sent  from  Nombre  de  Dios  to  all  the  ports 
along  the  coast  westward.  This  island  lieth  nine  or 
ten  leagues  from  the  main,  and  is  not  past  two  leagues 
long,  full  of  wood,  and  hath  great  store  of  fresh  water 
in  every  part  of  the  island,  and  that  very  good.  It 
is  a  sickly  climate  also,  and  given  to  much  rain:  here 
we  washed  our  ships,  and  set  up  the  rest  of  our  pinnaces. 

The  15th  day  Captain  Plat  died  of  sickness,  and 
then  Sir  Francis  Drake  began  to  keep  his  cabin,  and  to 
complain  of  sickness. 

The  23rd  we  set  sail  and  stood  up  again  for  Puerto 
Bello,  which  is  but  three  leagues  to  the  westwards  of 
Nombre  de  Dios. 

The  28th  at  four  of  the  clock  in  the  morning  our 
general  Sir  Francis  Drake  departed  this  life,  having 
been  extremely  sick  of  a  flux,  which  began  the  night 
before  to  stop  on  him.  He  used  some  speeches  at,  or 
a  little  before  his  death,  rising  and  apparelling  him- 
self, but  being  brought  to  bed  again,  within  one  hour 
died.  He  made  his  brother  Thomas  Drake  and  Captain 
Jonas  Bodenham  executors,  and  M.  Thomas  Drake's 
son  his  heir  to  all  his  lands,  except  one  manor  which 
he  gave  to  Captain  Bodenham. 

The  same  day  we  anchored  at  Puerto  Bello,  being 
the  best  harbour  we  found  all  along  the  main  both 
for  great  ships  and  small.  There  standeth  a  saker-shot 
off  the  shore  at  the  eastern  point  a  little  island;  and 
there  is  betwixt  the  main  and  that  five  or  six  fathoms : 
but  the  best  coming  in  is  the  open  mouth  betwixt  that 
island  and  another  island  that  lieth  to  the  westward 
with  a  range  of  rocks. 

In  Puerto  Bello  were  but  eight  or  ten  houses,  besides 
a  great  new  house  which  they  were  in  building  for  the 
governor  that  should  have  been  for  that  place:    there 


246  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

was  also  a  very  strong  fort  all  to  the  water's  side 
•with  flankers  of  great  trees  and  stones  fllled  with  earth 
between:  and  had  not  our  coming  disappointed  their 
pretence,  they  would  have  made  it  one  of  the  strongest 
places  in  all  the  Main.  There  they  meant  to  have 
builded  a  great  town.  We  found  there  three  pieces  of 
brass  ordinance  sunk  in  the  sea,  which  we  weighed  up ; 
all  the  people  were  fled  and  their  goods  carried  away. 

Up  within  this  bay  there  was  a  little  village,  but  of 
no  force,  where  we  found  a  great  fresh  river ;  our  men 
rowing  up  some  two  leagues  found  pillage,  as  wine 
and  oil,  and  some  small  quantity  of  oil.  After  our 
coming  hither  to  anchor,  and  the  solemn  burial  of  our 
general  Sir  Francis  in  the  sea:  Sir  Thomas  Baskerville 
being  aboard  the  Defiance,  where  M.  Bride  made  a 
sermon,  having  to  his  audience  all  the  captains  in  the 
fleet.  Sir  Thomas  commanded  all  aboard  the  Garland, 
with  whom  he  held  a  council,  and  there  showing  his 
commission  was  accepted  for  general,  and  Captain 
Bodenham  made  captain  of  the  Defiance,  and  M.  Savill 
captain  of  the  Adventure. 

The  27th  died  Captain  Josias  of  the  Delight,  and 
Captain  Egerton,  a  gentleman  of  the  Foresight,  and 
James  Wood,  chief  surgeon  of  the  fleet,  out  of  the 
Garland. 

The  28th  died  Abraham  Kendall  out  of  the  Saker. 
At  this  place  we  watered  again,  washed  our  ships  and 
made  new  sails,  it  being  by  the  general  and  all  the 
captains  agreed,  that  if  we  could  by  any  means  turn 
up  again  for  Santa  Martha,  we  should:  if  not,  to  go 
directly  for  England.  Here  also  we  took  in  some 
ballast  as  our  need  required. 

The  6th  of  February  the  Elizabeth  of  M.  Watts  was 
discharged  and  sunk,  and  that  day  the  Pegasus'  jolly 


DRAKE   AND    HAWKINS  247 

was  going  on  shore  for  water,  carrying  no  guard:  the 
Spaniards  perceiving  it  came  down  upon  them,  killed 
two  of  them,  and  took  two  or  three  prisoners,  and  so 
ran  up  into  the  woods  again. 

The  7th  the  Delight  and  Captain  Eden's  frigate 
were  discharged  and  sunk  because  they  were  old  and 
leaked,  and  the  Queen's  ship  wanted  sailors. 

That  day  our  men  being  mustered  we  had  sick  and 
whole  two  thousand.  And  the  next  day  we  set  on 
shore  all  our  prisoners,  as  Spaniards  and  negroes. 
But  before  at  our  first  coming  to  Puerto  Bello  Sir 
Thomas  sent  two  of  those  Spaniards  to  Nombre  de 
Dios  and  to  Panama  to  fetch  ransom  for  some  of  the 
chiefest  prisoners,  but  they  never  returned  again.  As 
we  were  setting  sail  there  came  one  with  a  flag  of 
truce,  and  told  the  general  that  they  had  taken 
eighteen  of  our  men,  and  that  they  were  well  used, 
adding  that  if  he  would  stay  eight  or  ten  days  longer 
they  should  be  brought  from  Panama. 

We  supposed  this  to  have  been  but  a  delay  to  have 
kept  us  there  while  the  king's  forces  had  come  about 
by  sea,  as  they  daily  expected.  We  set  sail  the  8th  of 
Februar\^  turning  up  for  Santa  Martha,  and  the  14th 
day  we  saw  the  islands  of  Baru  some  fourteen  leagues 
to  the  westward  of  Carthagena :  the  general  that  night 
told  us  he  would  stand  in  for  the  town  of  Baru  in  the 
bay:  but  that  night  blew  so  much  wind  and  con- 
tinued that  small  moon,  that  the  same  night  we  lost 
the  Foresight,  and  the  next  day  standing  again  to  make 
the  land  which  we  had  made,  we  lost  company  of  the 
Susan  Parnel,  the  Help,  and  the  Pegasus.  Then  the 
next  day  we  put  over  for  Cape  S.  Antonio,  and  gave 
over  Santa  Martha. 

The  25th  we  saw  the  island  of  Grand  Cayman  some 


248  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

thirty  leagues  to  the  north-westward  of  Jamaica, 
being  a  low  sandy  island,  having  many  tortoises 
about  it. 

The  26th  we  saw  the  high  land  of  Cuba  to  the  east- 
ward of  the  broken  islands,  to  the  east  of  the  island  of 
Pinos,  and  were  imbayed  in  among  those  dangerous 
places.  But  perceiving  it,  we  stood  out  again  south- 
south-east  and  so  got  clear,  and  then  stood  away  west 
;aiiid  by  north  to  the  isle  of  Pinos,  which  we  saw  the 
'jfir-st  of  March.  It  is  a  low  land  with  wood  and  fresh 
Twater  to  the  western  end.  If  you  come  in  with  the 
^ffii-dst  of  it  you  shall  see  rise  up  above  the  rest  of  the 
land  eight  or  nine  round  hummocks,  and  the  western- 
most hath  three  in  one. 

Being  shot  forth  with  the  west  end,  and  standing 
in  to  water,  we  espied  twenty  sail  of  ships  about  one 
in  the  afternoon.  This  was  a  third  part  of  the  fleet 
which  the  king  sent  for  Carthagena,  the  rest  of  the 
fleet  being  gone  for  the  Honduras.  They  were  in  all 
sixty  sails  sent  only  to  meet  our  fleet,  being  commanded, 
wheresoever  they  heard  we  were,  to  come  upon  us 
with  all  their  three  forces.  This  fleet  which  we  met 
withal  came  standing  for  Cape  de  los  Corrientes,  and 
had  been  refreshed  at  Havana. 

As  soon  as  they  descried  us,  they  kept  close  upon  a 
tack,  thinking  to  get  the  wind  of  us:  but  we  weathered 
them.  And  when  our  admiral  with  all  the  rest  of  our 
fleet  were  right  in  the  wind's  eye  of  them,  Sir  Thomas 
Baskerville  putting  out  the  Queen's  arms,  and  all  the 
rest  of  our  fleet  their  bravery,  bare  room  v^dth  them, 
and  commanded  the  Defiance  not  to  shoot,  but  to  keep 
close  by  to  second  him.  The  vice-admiral  of  the 
Spaniards  being  a  greater  ship  than  any  of  ours,  and 
the  best  sailor  in  all  their  fleet,  luffed  by  and  gave  the 


DRAKE   AND   HAWKIxNS  249 

Concord  the  two  first  great  shot,  which  she  repaid 
presently  again;   thus  the  fight  began. 

The  Bonaventure  bare  full  with  her,  ringing  her  such 
a  peal  of  ordinance  and  small  shot  withal,  that  he  left 
her  with  torn  sides.  The  admiral  also  made  no  spare 
of  powder  and  shot.  But  the  Defiance  in  the  midst 
of  the  Spanish  fleet  thundering  of  her  ordinance  and 
small  shot  continued  the  fight  to  the  end.  So  that  the 
vice-admiral  with  three  or  four  of  her  consorts  were 
forced  to  tack  about  to  the  eastward,  leaving  their 
admiral  and  the  rest  of  the  fleet,  who  came  not  so 
hotly  into  the  fight  as  they  did. 

The  fight  continued  two  hours  and  better.  At  sun- 
set all  the  fleet  tacked  about  the  the  eastward,  we 
continued  our  course  to  the  westward  for  Cape  de  los 
Corrientes,  supposing  that  we  should  have  met  with 
more  of  their  consorts.  In  this  conflict  in  the  Defiance 
we  had  five  men  slain,  three  Englishmen,  a  Greek 
and  a  negro.  That  night  some  half-hour  after,  their 
fleet  keeping  upon  their  weather  quarter,  we  saw  a 
mighty  smoke  rise  out  of  one  of  their  great  ships 
which  stayed  behind:  which  happened  by  means  of 
powder  as  we  think,  and  presently  after  she  was  all 
on  a  light  fire,  and  so  was  consumed  and  all  burnt, 
as  we  might  well  perceive. 

The  next  day,  being  the  2nd  of  March,  in  the 
morning  by  break  of  day  we  were  hard  aboard  Cape 
de  los  Corrientes,  which  is  a  bare  low  cape,  having  a 
bush  of  trees  higher  than  the  rest  some  mile  to  the 
eastward  of  the  cape.  All  Cuba  is  full  of  wood  on  the 
south  side.  The  Spanish  fleet  which  then  were  but 
fourteen,  no  more  than  we  were,  kept  still  upon  our 
weather  quarter,  but  dared  not  to  come  room  with 
us  although  our  admiral  stayed  for  them.    As  soon  as 


250  STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

we  had  cleared  ourselves  of  the  cape  three  of  their 
best  sailors  came  room  with  the  Salomon,  which  was 
so  near  the  land  that  she  could  not  double  the  cape, 
but  tacked  about  to  the  eastward,  and  so  was  both 
astern  and  also  to  leeward  of  all  our  fleet.  But  when 
we  saw  the  Spaniards  working,  the  Defiance  tacked 
about  to  rescue  her:  which  the  Spaniards  seeing,  and 
having  not  forgotten  the  fight  which  she  made  the 
night  before,  the}^  luffed  up  into  the  midst  of  their 
fleet  again,  and  then  all  the  fleet  stayed  until  the 
Salomon  came  up,  and  so  stood  along  for  Cape  S. 
Antonio,  which  we  came  in  sight  of  by  two  in  the 
afternoon,  being  a  low  cape  also,  and  to  the  south- 
west a  white  sandy  bay,  where  three  or  four  ships 
may  very  well  water.  There  is  a  good  road  for  north 
and  easterly  winds:  there  the  Spaniards  began  to  fall 
astern. 

That  night  we  stood  away  a  glass  or  two  north-west, 
and  north-north-west,  and  north-east,  and  in  the 
morning-watch  south,  and  in  the  morning  had  sight 
of  Cuba  about  the  east  part  of  the  Organes,  which  are 
dangerous  rocks  Ijdng  eight  leagues  off  upon  the  north 
part  of  Cuba,  presently  as  soon  as  you  pass  Cape  S. 
Antonio:  then  we  stood  to  the  eastward  of  the  land, 
the  wind  at  south-south-west,  and  at  six  at  night  had 
foul  weather,  but  after  were  becalmed  all  night. 

The  5th  the  wind  came  scant.  The  7th  we  saw  a 
high  land  Hke  a  crown,  which  appeareth  so  thirteen 
or  fourteen  leagues  to  the  west^vard  of  Havana,  and 
another  place  in  Cuba  called  The  Table,  eight  leagues 
to  the  eastward  of  the  crown.  The  land  over  Havana 
maketh  two  small  mountains.  Here  we  found  no  great 
current  until  we  came  to  the  Gulf  of  Bahama. 

The  loth  we  saw  the  Cape  of  Florida,  being  but  a 


DRAKE   AND   HAWKINS  251 

reasonable  low  land  and  broken  islands  to  the  south- 
ward of  the  cape.  And  at  two  in  the  afternoon  we 
lost  sight  of  the  land  twelve  leagues  to  the  northward 
of  the  cape.  After  we  had  disembarked,  we  stood 
west  till  midnight,  and  were  in  28  degrees,  and  then 
stood  north-east  till  the  13th  at  night,  when  we  were 
in  31  degrees.  And  after  the  wind  scanted  with  a 
great  storm,  in  which  we  lost  the  Bonaventure  and 
the  Little  John,  they  bearing  on  head.  Then  we  stood 
with  our  larboard  tacked  east-south-east. 

The  19th  we  were  in  29  degrees,  our  course  east- 
north-east.  The  2ist  we  had  a  great  stormy  gale  of 
wind  and  much  rain  but  large.  And  then  all  the  rest 
of  our  fleet  fell  astern  except  the  Hope,  which  bare 
ahead:  so  that  there  kept  no  more  with  the  admiral, 
but  the  Defiance,  the  Adventure,  and  the  Phcenix. 

The  28th  we  were  in  39  degrees,  and  stood  away 
for  Flores,  which  the  Sth  of  April  we  saw,  and  the 
9th  came  to  an  anchor  on  the  south  side,  where  we 
watered,  because  the  Defiance  when  we  came  in  had 
but  two  butts  of  water.  We  bartered  with  the  Portugals 
for  some  fresh  victuals,  and  here  set  on  shore  at  our 
coming  away  out  of  the  admiral  our  two  Portugal 
pilots ;  which  Sir  Francis  Drake  carried  out  of  England 
with  him. 

The  loth,  being  Easter  Eve,  at  night  we  set  sail, 
the  wind  serving  us  to  lie  some  slant  in  our  course. 
That  night  and  Easter  Day  we  had  much  rain:  the 
wind  came  up  at  north-east,  we  beat  it  up  some 
thirty  leagues  to  the  eastward,  and  then  about  to  the 
west,  and  so  again  to  the  east,  and  tried,  and  the  next 
bore  to  the  west. 

On  Thursday  towards  night,  being  the  i6th,  we  had 
sight  of  Corvo  again:    we  tried  all  that  night,  and  on 


252       STORIES   FROM   HAKLUYT 

Friday  towards  night  we  came  to  an  anchor  to  the 
westward  of  the  point  of  Santa  Cruz  under  Flores: 
but  before  midnight  we  drave,  and  set  sail  the  next 
day  standing  away  north-east.  About  three  of  the 
clock  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  came  up  again  at 
north.  On  Sunday  the  19th,  by  two  of  the  clock  in 
the  afternoon  we  had  made  twenty  leagues  an  east 
way:  and  then  the  wind  came  up  a  good  gale  at 
north-west,  and  so  north-east  with  a  flown  sheet  we 
made  the  best  way  we  could:  but  being  dispersed  by 
bad  weather  we  arrived  about  the  beginning  of  May 
in  the  west  parts  of  England.  And  the  last  ships  which 
came  in  together  to  Plymouth  were  the  Defiance,  the 
Garland,  the  Adventure,  and  the  Phcenix. 


Richard  Hakluyt  was  not  an  author  but  an  editor 
whose  work  was  to  collect,  correct,  and  arrange  the  writings 
of  other  men  which,  but  for  his  scholarly  research  and 
patient  industr^^  would  probably  have  been  left  in 
obscurity  or  lost.  He  was  born,  probably  in  London, 
about  the  year  1553,  and  came  of  an  English  family 
connected  wath  Eyton  or  Yatton  in  Herefordshire.  His 
name  was  originally  pronounced  and  spelt  Hacklewit, 
with  variations,  and  Michael  Drayton  mentions  him  in 
one  of  his  poems  as  "  industrious  Hackluit," 

Whose  reading  shall  inflame 
Men  to  seek  fame. 

He  was  educated  at  Westminster  School,  and  Christ 
Church,  Oxford,  but  before  he  went  to  the  University 
he  had  definitely  fixed  upon  the  work  of  liis  life.  One 
day  he  visited  his  cousin,  another  Richard  Hakluyt,  of 
the  Middle  Temple,  and  received  from  him  a  kind  of 
geography  lesson  suggested  by  a  map  of  the  world  which 
happened  to  be  lying  on  the  table.  The  boy  was  deeply 
impressed,  especially  with  the  short  account  which  his 
cousin  gave  him  of  recent  explorations  which  had  ex- 
tended the  boundaries  of  the  known  world  in  such  a 
wonderful  manner.  "  From  the  map,"  wrote  the  younger 
Hakluyt,  ''  he  brought  me  to  the  Bible,  and  turning  to 
the  107th  Psalm,  directed  me  to  the  twenty-third  and 
twenty-fourth  verses,  where  I  read  that  '  they  which 
go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  and  occupy  by  the  great 
waters,  they  see  the  works  of  the  Lord  and  His  wonders 

253 


254  RICHARD   HAKLUYT 

in  the  deep.'  Which  words  of  the  Prophet,  together  with 
my  cousin's  discourse  (things  of  high  and  rare  dehght 
to  my  young  nature),  took  in  me  so  deep  an  impression 
that  I  constantly  resolved,  if  ever  I  were  preferred  to  the 
Universit}^  where  better  time  and  more  convenient  place 
might  be  ministered  for  these  studies,  I  would  by  God's 
assistance  prosecute  that  knowledge  and  kind  of  literature, 
the  doors  whereof  (after  a  sort)  were  so  happily  opened 
before  me." 

So  he  set  to  work  to  collect  and  read  all  the  accounts 
of  voyages  and  travels  which  had  ever  been  written,  not 
only  in  his  mother- tongue,  but  also  in  French,  Italian, 
Latin,  Greek,  Spanish  and  Portuguese.  After  taking  his 
master's  degree  he  seems  to  have  lectured  on  geography 
at  Oxford,  and  a  few  years  later  he  published  his  first 
book,  which  was  a  collection  of  voyages  undertaken  for 
the  discovery  of  America.  Then  he  went  to  Paris  as 
chaplain  to  the  English  Ambassador,  for  he  was  now  in 
Holy  orders,  and  spent  a  great  deal  of  his  time  collecting 
information  about  the  various  expeditions  across  the 
Atlantic,  producing  another  book  "  at  the  requeste  and 
direction  of  the  righte  worshipfull  Mr.  Walter  Raghly," 
which  consisted  of  another  collection  designed  to  encour- 
age the  settlement  of  English  people  in  the  most  fruitful 
of  the  unoccupied  regions  of  the  New  World. 

Hakluyt  returned  to  England  in  1588,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year  appeared  the  first  edition  of  his  truly  monumental 
work,  The  Principall  Navigations  Voiages,  and  Discov- 
eries of  the  English  Nation,  which  was  reconstructed 
and  greatly  enlarged  in  the  second  edition  of  1 598-1 600. 
In  this  great  book  we  have  in  simple  direct  prose  the  plain 
record  of  the  first  expansion  of  Europe  and  especially 
of  England,  achieved  during  a  period  unparalleled  in  the 
history  of  the  world,  whose  special  character  could  never, 
from  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  be  repeated.     "  Over 


AND   HIS   WORK  255 

against  the  plays  of  Shakespeare  and  his  fellows,"  writes 
Professor  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  "  as  their  natural  counter- 
part, must  be  set  the  Voyages  of  Hakluyt;  he  who 
would  understand  the  EUzabethan  age,  and  what  it 
meant  for  England,  must  know  them  both."  If  this  be 
true — and  there  is  no  better  guide  in  such  matters  than 
the  writer  of  these  words — English  readers  have,  to  use 
a  suitable  nautical  metaphor,  a  great  deal  of  leeway  to 
make  up. 

If  the  stories  of  these  voyages  are  read  slowly  and 
carefully  with  a  sincere  attempt  to  imagine  the  circum- 
stances under  which  they  were  embarked  ui)on,  each  tale 
will  be  found  to  reveal  human  nature  at  its  best.  The  men 
who  undertook  these  expeditions  were,  in  almost  every 
case,  "  facing  fearful  odds,"  and  each  voyager  was  a 
member  of  the  crew  erf  the  "  Ship  of  Fools  ": 

We  are  those  fools  who  could  not  rest 

In  the  dull  earth  we  left  behind. 
But  burned  with  passion  for  the  West 

And  drank  a  frenzy  from  its  wind; 
The  world  where  small  men  live  at  ease 

Fades  from  our  unregretful  eyes, 
And  blind  across  uncharted  seas 

We  stagger  on  our  enterprise. 


Lean,  naked,  bruised,  like  famished  slaves, 

We  shiver  at  the  sweeps,  each  one 
A  jest  for  all  the  scornful  waves, 

And  food  for  laughter  to  the  sun. 
But  never  voice,  nor  deathlight  flare. 

Nor  moon  shall  stay  us  with  their  spell. 
Whose  eyes  are  calm  as  God,  and  stare 

Confusion  in  the  face  of  Hell.^ 

There  are  other  qualities  of  character  wliich  are  made 
evident  again  and  again  in  these  immortal  stories: — 
loyalty  to   a   leader  coupled   with   a  sense   of  personal 

1  The  Ship  of  Fools,  by  St,  John  Lucas. 


256      HAKLUYT  AND   HIS    WORK 

liberty  which  often  prompts  to  criticism  or  even  to  re- 
spectful but  firm  remonstrance;  unwearying  patience  in 
the  pursuit  of  an  object  sometimes  clearly  defined,  at 
other  times  nebulous  and  tantalising;  childlike  simplicity 
which  takes  legend  for  fact;  a  stern  sense  of  justice  and 
a  clear  idea  of  the  demarcation  between  right  and  wrong 
(there  were  no  half-tones  for  the  Elizabethans);  a  desire 
to  "  plant  "  new  nations  for  the  honour  of  England  and 
Ehzabeth  and  the  greater  glory  of  God.  These  men  are 
indeed  as  well  worth  study  as  the  people  of  Shakespeare's 
plan's. 

Hakluyt's  later  life  need  not  concern  us  greatly,  but  it 
is  satisfactory  to  know  that  his  talents  and  industry  seem 
to  have  been  appreciated  by  those  who  had  rewards  in 
their  gift.  He  was  made  prebendary,  and  later,  arch- 
deacon of  Westminster,  one  of  the  chaplains  of  the 
Savoy,  probably  Doctor  of  Divinity,  and  enjoyed  several 
benefices,  from  one  of  which  he  made  a  small  fortune 
which  was  squandered  by  a  son,  probably  a  piece  of 
poetic  justice!  It  is  interesting  to  note,  in  connection  with 
the  great  work  of  his  life,  that  in  1605  he  secured  the 
prospective  living  of  James  Town,  the  intended  capital  of 
the  intended  colony  of  Virginia.  When  the  colony  was 
set  up  he  sent  out  a  curate  to  act  for  him.  Hakluyt 
died  in  161 6,  and  was  buried  m  Westminster  Abbey. 


Ma 01  At  The 

TeMP;.e  PRess 


M  ove  /^QB^R      3.    /^;^7    -     Co- 


000  002  504 


